British Parliamentary Delegation meets with President, opposition, and civil society leaders

Bangla Mirror Desk:

9 October 2026,The UK parliamentary delegation, led by UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh Chair Apsana Begum MP, and President of People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on October 8.

The delegation of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh has this week held a number of high-level meetings with political and civil society leaders.

The delegation’s business commenced on 6 October with a meeting with H.E High Commissioner of the UK to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, with subsequent meetings in the Bangladesh Parliament held with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal MP, and at ministerial offices with Minister Humaiun Kobir, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury MP, and Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

On Wednesday 7 October, the delegation visited UNHCR sites in Cox’s Bazar and paid a courtesy call to the offices of the RRRC, to gain a first-hand understanding of the humanitarian and refugee crisis faced by the over 1 million Rohingya in Bangladesh.

On Thursday 8 October, the delegation met with President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban. Together, they discussed women’s representation in Parliament, the July Charter and constitutional change, reform of political parties, training and development for Parliamentarians, and truth and reconciliation processes for historical rights abuses. They also met with the Minister for Cultural Affairs, Nitin Roy Chowdhury MP, along with Nipun Roy Chowdhury MP, at the minister’s offices.

Subsequent meetings have been held with opposition leaders, along with civil society figures.

This has included field visits to the offices of BRAC and the BRAC Institute for Governance and Development, and to the Drik Picture Library, where the delegation convened a meeting with leading voices in Bangladeshi civil society organisations, with a primary focus on women’s, minority, and indigenous rights.

The delegation’s visit will continue with engagements throughout the coming days

The delegation is supported by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK).