German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troester on Wednesday (April 20) expressed his discontent over BNP's comments quoting him about human rights situation and democracy here, saying the wording of the party was "not true".
 
"I read (in newspapers)... BNP quoted that I had uttered concern about the human rights situation and democracy in the country (Bangladesh), this is not true," he told at DCAB Talk at the National Press Club here.
 
On March 17, the German envoy made a courtesy call-on BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the invitation of his party in the capital.
 
After the meeting at the BNP Chairperson's Office in Gulshan, BNP's Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud briefed reporters that the German ambassador expressed concern about the human rights and democracy in Bangladesh.
 
About the wording of BNP's that day's press briefing on the outcomes of the meeting, Troester said he is "unhappy" about the words BNP leader told media quoting him that day.
 
"I was a bit unhappy about this (misquoting him) ... I am directly speaking to you. You can quote me. But why I should be quoted by third party," he told reporters.

Terming his meeting with BNP leaders as just a courtesy call-on, the envoy said he wanted to know why BNP did not participate in the last general election.
 
"It was just a courtesy call on, nothing more," he clarified about his intention to hold the meeting with BNP's top leaders.
 
He said Germany does not want any violence in participatory polls as democracy and human rights are the key to his country's foreign policy.
 
"Germany is favour of peaceful elections and that every political player takes part in it but refrains from any violence," Troester said.
 
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organised its flagship event where its president Rezaul Karim Lotus and general secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke.

Source: Agency

BDST: 1543 HRS, APR 20, 2022
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