Staff Reporter :
The United States has voiced concerns about the ongoing security situation in Bangladesh, emphasising the need for the Bangladeshi people to exercise their fundamental freedoms.
In response to the volatile situation, the US government has issued a level 4 travel advisory, advising against travel to Bangladesh until the security situation stabilises.
Additionally, the US has authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and family members from the US Embassy in Dhaka. During a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller addressed these concerns.
“We have made clear our concerns about the ongoing security situation in Bangladesh. We announced the other day that we are exploring options to ensure the safety of our personnel in Dhaka,” Miller stated.
Regarding the safety of US citizens in Bangladesh, Miller added, “We authorised the voluntary departure of nonemergency personnel and family members from the US Embassy in Dhaka. The Embassy remains open to providing consular and other services to US citizens in Bangladesh.”
He further emphasised, “We respect the safety and security of any American citizen; that is our first priority. We encourage any US citizen who is worried about their safety and security, or has concerns, to contact our embassy.”
In reply to another question pertaining to the recent acts of violence in Bangladesh, he said, “We condemn all recent acts of violence in Bangladesh. We support the freedom of peaceful assembly.” “We condemn violence against those who are exercising their peaceful right to assembly.
And we condemn violence on behalf of any protester who has turned their peaceful exercises into an excuse for violence. We condemn violence in all cases,” he said. He also said that the people of Bangladesh should be allowed to exercise their fundamental freedoms.
“We continue to urge both protesters, private citizens, and the government to refrain from violence,” Miller said. Following the recent eruption of violence in Bangladesh, the US government issued a travel advisory level 4 due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism.