French Embassy Withdraws Support for Yunus Government’s Statement!

Staff Reporter

The French Embassy in Dhaka has removed a post from its official Facebook page that shared a statement from the Office of the Chief Advisor.

The statement had protested remarks made by US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard regarding the persecution of minorities and the rise of Islamic terrorism in Bangladesh.

However, the French Embassy’s sharing of this post sparked intense criticism both domestically and internationally, forcing them to backtrack.

On March 17, during her visit to India, US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard, in an interview with Indian media outlet NDTV, expressed the Trump administration’s concerns about the persecution of minorities and the rise of Islamic terrorism in Bangladesh.

In response, the Office of the Chief Advisor issued a statement on Facebook at 11 PM on March 17, describing Gabbard’s comments as “baseless” and “harmful.” Surprisingly, the French Embassy in Dhaka shared this post on its official Facebook page the next morning, March 18, around 11 AM.

The French Embassy’s move sparked widespread debate in both international and domestic circles. Many questioned how a secular state like France could deny allegations of minority persecution in Bangladesh, which some have likened to genocide.

International analysts viewed this as unusual and a violation of diplomatic norms.

Typically, embassies remain neutral on such sensitive international issues, avoiding direct alignment with any party. However, many interpreted the French Embassy’s sharing of the post as a blatant display of support for Bangladesh’s interim government.

Following the French Embassy’s post, there was a strong backlash on social media. Many saw it as interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and an attempt to deny the persecution of minorities. The international community also erupted in criticism.

Questions arose about how a country like France, known for its secularism and advocacy for human rights, could support a statement that dismisses allegations of minority persecution.

Additionally, this incident complicated matters given France’s historical alliance with the United States.

Amidst the intense criticism and international pressure, the French Embassy today, March 19, removed the post sharing the Chief Advisor’s Office statement from its Facebook page.

Analysts believe this is an attempt to correct a diplomatic misstep and avoid potential controversy.

This incident has added a new dimension to Bangladesh’s internal politics and international relations.

Both the Chief Advisor’s Office issuing a statement on Facebook and the French Embassy sharing it have been seen as deviations from diplomatic norms, raising questions about the government’s stance. International analysts have described these actions as “immature” and “unexpected.”

Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government’s position on the issue of minority persecution remains unclear.

Experts believe that Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks and the Chief Advisor’s Office’s response could impact Bangladesh’s international image. While the removal of the French Embassy’s post has somewhat quelled the controversy, its long-term effects remain unknown.