US delegation backs fair polls in Bangladesh, wants all-party dialogue
Diplomatic Correspondent :
The visiting US delegation has expressed the view that the US wants to see a free, fair and participatory election and wants all political parties to hold dialogue, but they would not ‘directly’ intervene for the arrangement of such talks.
They also said that, the US visa policy would assist the government to hold free and fair election.
Following such expectation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers have provided their ‘strong commitment’ to hold a free, fair and impartial general election slated for January 2024.
“In my meetings with government today, we have discussed the free and fair elections. Bangladesh will decide the timeline of the election. You know, we are all for dialogue, but we do not have any direct involvement in what you described,” US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said on Thursday.
She made the comments while replying to questions of the journalists at the State Guest House Padma in the capital after holding a three-hour long meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.
Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, US ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas were also present.
Regarding her meeting with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina early in the morning, Uzra Zeya said, “I have received a strong commitment from the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and all other government ministers. As a long term partner of Bangladesh the United States supports a free, fair and peaceful election here.”
She met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday morning at Ganabhaban when she conveyed that the visa policy was aimed at helping her to deliver her commitment to hold free, and fair elections.
After the meeting with the Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Uzra Zeya said that she came here “in recognition of the importance of our partnership with Bangladesh and to underscore the US desire to deepen that partnership, in support of our vision of a free and open Indo Pacific anchored in resilience that is more resilient, more connected, more secure, and more prosperous.”
Replying to a question she said, she have heard “a strong commitment” from the prime minister and all of the government ministers with whom she had meet in support of free and fair and peaceful elections and the United States as part of our global human rights policy supports free and fair and peaceful elections and we want to do our part as a longtime partner of Bangladesh to help make this possible.”
She, however, said the question of the timetable of the elections is for Bangladesh to decide. “We are all for dialogue that we do not have any direct involvement in what you described,” she said, when asked about the US position on holding a dialogue between the major parties.
“I think we’ve had constructive, productive and engaging discussions. And I would say yesterday (Wednesday), we witnessed large political rallies that were included, thankfully, free of serious violence, and I think this is a good Harbinger that we would like to see replicated,” she said, replying to a question.
The under secretary said the United States looks forward to deepening its engagement with Bangladesh over the next 50 years and beyond.
“Our cooperation on climate change development, the economy, humanitarian assistance and security shows the range of our strong partnership and future potential,” she said.
“A prosperous future depends on strong democratic institutions, and the broad participation of Bangladeshis and elections and the g
overnance of their country. The United States looks forward to continued collaboration for a supportive and inclusive, democratic Bangladesh, in which all the people of Bangladesh can thrive.”
“We also discussed the need for free and fair elections, the ability of journalists to report the news without fear of retaliation or intimidation, collaboration to combat trafficking in persons and the vital role that civil society plays in democracies, advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and association,” she said, about her meetings in Dhaka.
Regarding the meeting with Uzra Zeya, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said, they have discussed issues related to humanitarian support, labour issues, and free and fair elections.
“I also told her how much Bangladesh has achieved over the past decade in labour reforms, including improving safety and rights,” he said, adding that more reforms are on the cards.
“We have also discussed and exchanged our views on matters related to civil rights and the upcoming national elections, collaborations in civilian security, including trafficking in persons,” he said.
The Foreign Secretary said he also requested for the withdrawal of US sanctions against RAB during their discussion.
Meanwhile, talking to journalists Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said that, Uzra Zeya told the PM that the US new visa policy will supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to hold free, fair and neutral election.
After holding talks with Prime Minister, Uzra Zeya tweeted: “US looks forward to free and fair elections anchoring a thriving democratic future for the Bangladeshi people.”
In another tweet regarding the meeting with Law Minister Anisul Huq, she wrote: “Pleased to meet with Law Minister Anisul Huq today in Dhaka for a fruitful discussion on human rights and democratic values, including labour rights, freedom of expression, accountability and free and fair elections.”
During the meeting the Law Minister said, “The issue of DSA has been discussed in the meeting with the US Under Secretary. I have said the same to them today what I have said about this law before. As said earlier, the DSA will be amended by September this year.”
Regarding the caretaker government, Anisul Huq replied, “The caretaker government issue was not discussed. They didn’t even ask. I didn’t feel the need to talk about it either.”