Ireland has expressed willingness to share its experience and technical assistance in Bangladesh’s ongoing police reform efforts. The country has also offered support in strengthening responsible, rights-based governance following the July civic uprising.
On Wednesday, Ireland’s non-resident Ambassador Kevin Kelly and Northern Ireland’s first Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Baroness O’Loan is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. She served as Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, when long-term conflict ended and a new trust-based policing structure was developed.
Baroness O’Loan said that Ireland’s post-conflict experience offers important lessons on patience, public participation, and the long-term nature of institutional reform. “We are here to share realistic timelines and experiences for achieving sustainable change,” she noted.
The meeting was also attended by Fionnuala Gillsonan, Director of Ireland’s Peace and Stability Unit, and British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke.
Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus welcomed Ireland’s initiative, acknowledging its support toward Bangladesh’s broader reform and change process. “We highly value Ireland’s assistance in ensuring a peaceful, democratic, and accountable transition,” he said. He also sought the Ambassador’s cooperation in countering misinformation ahead of the upcoming national election.
Ambassador Kelly reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh, saying both countries share strong commitments to peace, justice, and democratic values.