Reporter – Md. Shahjahan Bashar:
Awami League leaders and activists attacked and vandalized the Bangladesh Consulate in New York, United States. The general public at home and abroad have reacted angrily to this incident. At the same time, the Bangladesh government has also found itself in an embarrassing situation.
According to the Geneva Convention, the host state has the obligation to ensure the security of any country’s diplomatic mission. As such, the US government is responsible for ensuring the security of the Bangladesh Consulate in New York.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Mexico and senior secretary-level diplomat Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari has expressed concern over the incident. He called for a speedy investigation and legal action against the perpetrators of the attack.
In a statement on social media on Monday (August 25), Ambassador Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari wrote, “Some miscreants supported by the Awami League have attacked and vandalized the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. It is urgent to take legal action against them immediately. I believe that our colleagues in the United States will discuss the matter with the appropriate authorities and take necessary steps.”
According to local expatriate Bangladeshis, such a politically motivated attack on a diplomatic establishment has not only tarnished the image of the country, but also threatened the security and dignity of the Bangladeshi community abroad.
Bangladeshi diplomats in the United States are reportedly in contact with the local administration after the incident. However, no official statement has been made yet on who was involved in the attack and what kind of damage was caused.