US calls on all parties in BD to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law
Staff Reporter :
The United States has expressed deep concern over reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding this weekend’s political protests.
The escalating situation has raised alarm among international communities, prompting the US government to call for immediate action and accountability.
“We are concerned about the reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding this weekend’s political protests,” said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday.
Miller made the remarks when he was asked that in Bangladesh, millions of people marched the capital city Dhaka in protest demanding the resignation of the ruling Prime Minister Hasina.
The local and international media reported that on Saturday police and ruling party members brutally attacked peaceful demonstrations – peaceful demonstrators and opposition leaders, resulting in hundreds of injuries, including the top opposition leader, Gayeshwar Roy.
How do you assess the – monitor this escalating situation, considering the government’s apparent hardline stance towards the opposition and police brutality? What steps will the State Department take to ensure the possibility of a credible and peaceful election in Bangladesh?
Following this question the US urged the Government of Bangladesh to take decisive steps, and has called for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the reported incidents of violence.
“We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of a safe and peaceful environment for citizens to express their concerns, the US has called on all parties involved to uphold fundamental freedoms and respect the rule of law.
“We urge Bangladesh to create a safe environment for people to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns, and we call on all parties to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of free and fair elections, the US stresses that everyone’s commitment is essential – from voters to political parties, youth wings, and law enforcement agencies.
The involvement of all stakeholders is deemed necessary for a democratic process to thrive and flourish.
“Free and fair elections depend on the commitment of everyone – voters, political parties, youth wings, and police – and cannot take place in an environment with political violence,” he said.
Miller was also asked for an observation that on 15th of June, while descending a judicial review application the Canadian federal judge labeled BNP as a terrorist organisation.
The judicial review was filed against the rejection of a BNP activist request for political asylum in Canada. This is the fifth time they labeled the party as a terrorist organization. What is your observation on that?
In response to this question, the Spokesperson said, “I don’t have any observation on that.”
Miller was also asked about his remark on the burning of a copy of Holy Quran, he said, “We have said we condemn the burning of religious texts.
At the same time, we recognise the right to freedom of expression even when it’s freedom of expression – it’s acts of freedom of expression with which we may disagree. That continues to be our policy.”
