British Parliamentary Delegation visits Sylhet with civil society and political figures 

 

Bangla Mirror Desk:

 

14 October 2026: The UK parliamentary delegation, led by UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh Chair Apsana Begum MP participated in a roundtable discussion organised by the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) on  October 10

The delegation of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in Bangladesh has held engagements in Sylhet District, in the final days of their week-long visit to Bangladesh.

Following high-level meetings with officials and representatives of Bangladesh’s government, Parliament, and civil society in Dhaka, and with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Cox’s Bazar, the delegation arrived in Sylhet on Friday 9 October.

Upon arrival, the delegation met with representatives of BRAC. The group were welcomed to the Sylhet Kidney Foundation Hospital, and held roundtable discussions at BRAC Learning Centre.

Roundtable participants included Administrator of Sylhet Mr Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Sylhet Women Chamber of Commerce President Lubana Yesmin Shampa, District Commissioner Mr Abdullah Al Mamun and Sylhet Press Club President Mr Moktabis Nur.

Their discussions in Sylhet included gender-based violence, education and employment, infrastructure, land rights and disputes, visa and consular services, and international flight connectivity at Sylhet’s airport.

On 10 October, the delegation participated in roundtable consultations organised by the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST). The delegation met representatives from the Sylhet Bar Association and legal experts, as well as tea garden workers. Discussions spanned across the topics of violence against women and girls and legal redress, labour rights and conditions, minority groups advocacy and community action.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Urang (Oraon) community with BRAC to further understand issues affecting indigenous and minority Hindu communities in the region. They also met with participants of BRAC’s Ultra Poor Graduation Programme, to understand development in Sylhet.

On 11 October, the delegation visited BLAST’s Sylhet Unit, and met with officials within the judiciary, lawyers, and paralegals. Together, they discussed topics including legal aid and access to advocacy and advice.

The delegation’s visit was supported by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK).