When Moinul escaped from Bangladesh to London, he never imagined he would once again be caught in a political storm. Fleeing threats due to his political affiliations, the student found himself at the centre of controversy as Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, seemingly targeted Bangladeshi asylum seekers for deportation.
Facing backlash from the Bangladeshi community, Starmer clarified his remarks, emphasizing he values their contribution. However, Moinul, a former local organizer for an opposition party in Bangladesh, fears for his life if sent back.
Similarly, Liton, forced into asylum for criticizing the government on social media, faces threats of violence if he returns. With many Bangladeshis seeking refuge in the UK, Abdul Razzak, a volunteer translator, highlights the necessity of granting asylum based on human rights.
Amid resignations over Starmer’s comments and suspicion over an agreement for deportations, the irony of a former human rights lawyer making such statements is not lost on individuals like Liton.