Unprecedented US visa policy sparks tensions in Bangladesh

Diplomatic Correspondent :
The US government’s new visa policy, intended to restrict visas for Bangladeshi individuals who could potentially undermine electoral process, has sparked renewed tensions as the country has not witnessed any such measure in the last 50 years.

The implications of this policy have triggered debates among political stakeholders, who are gearing up for the upcoming general elections scheduled to be held in December or in January next year.

However, the decision has received widespread approval from all three major political parties in the country — the Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and Jatiya Party.
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced the new visa policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) (“3C”) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.

Under this policy, the United States will be able to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh, he said.

“This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and the security services. The United States notified the Bangladeshi government of this decision on May 3, 2023,” Blinken said.

He further said, “Actions that undermine the democratic election process include vote rigging, voter intimidation, the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their right to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, and the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views.”
In addition he said, “The holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone –voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media. I am announcing this policy to lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh.”

Amid this situation, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas held a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in the Foreign Ministry on Thursday and reiterated his government’s commitment to the visa policy.

The Ambassador mentioned that the newly announced visa policy is his government’s way of helping the democratic electoral process in Bangladesh.
He expressed support for free and fair elections, stating that the visa policy to restrict visas to those who undermine the democratic process.
“The visa policy is in support of the people of Bangladesh, the government and the prime minister to hold a free and fair election,” he told the journalists.
Following the visa policy, the Foreign Ministry promptly issued a statement saying, “The Government of Bangladesh has taken note of the announcement made by the US Secretary of State on a visa restriction policy pursuant to the so-called 3C provision under the US Immigration and Act.”

“Bangladesh would like to view this announcement in the broader context of its government’s unequivocal commitment to holding free and fair elections at all levels for upholding the country’s democratic process. Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh remains a democratic and politically stable nation with experience of holding a series of elections at national and local levels,” the stateeement added.

Since the general elections in 2008, it is evident that the people of the country experienced unprecedented socio-economic development and empowerment due to continued political stability under the Awami League government. This resulted in the reduction of headcount poverty from 41.5 per cent in 2006 to 18.7 per cent in 2022, and of extreme poverty from 25.1 per cent to 5.6 per cent during the same period, it said.

It added, now an international role model for development, Bangladesh has become eligible for graduation from the UN Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026. These have been achieved due to the Awami League government being elected to office for three consecutive terms over the last fourteen years.
“Since the general elections in 2008, it is evident that the people of the country experienced unprecedented socio-economic development and empowerment due to continued political stability under the Awami League government,” it read.

“The people of Bangladesh are very much conscious of their democratic and voting rights. There is no precedent for any government to continue in office having usurped people’s mandate through vote rigging. The people’s right to franchise is considered a State sanctity by the Awami League government that has a political legacy of unrelenting struggles and sacrifice for securing that right. The government attaches importance to freedom of assembly and association for all peaceful and legitimate democratic processes,” the statement continued.

It also said that the government apparatus would take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference by any individual, group or entity to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections.
“The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission. The government expects that the local undemocratic forces that resort to violence, arson and destruction would remain cautious and refrain from their misguided efforts to jeopardize the electoral process as mandated by the Constitution,” it said.

It added, “It is entirely up to the people of Bangladesh to sustain the hard-earned democratic process, political stability and development gains in the country. The government appreciates that the international community including the US firmly stands by Prime Minister’s sustained commitment to ensure free and fair elections.”
Earlier in the day, the journalists asked the Dr Momen in the Foreign Ministry about his government’s position on the US new visa policy.
He said that there was nothing to be worried rather the US government’s new visa policy for holding fair polls has supported Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to hold free, fair and credible election.

“The US government’s visa policy has reflected the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to hold free and fair election. It has praised prime minister,” he said.
Asked about whether the government is now under additional pressure, he said, “We are not under any pressure from the US. We have an excellent relation with them.”
Asked about his meeting with Peter Haas, the Foreign Minister said that the US was testing their new visa policy in different countries including Nigeria and Somalia and now in Bangladesh to improve democratic practice.

“I asked him (Peter) about the visa policy. He replied me that they are testing it in different countries such as Nigeria and Somalia. He could not tell me that this visa policy has been successful in other places. He replied me that as it is a new one, he could not tell me much,” he said.
The minister also said, “The US government’s philosophy is to improve democracy. We have formulated law to uphold democracy. People in their country are also killed during election. I think they should follow us..”

“Democracy is dynamic process and it comes through practice. It cannot come suddenly from above. We are not under pressure. We don’t have any failure. Rather everything is happening what we want,” he said.