US wants free, fair polls in Bangladesh: Envoy

Staff Reporter  :
The United States is beating the drums to extend its supports to the government of Bangladesh to hold a free, fair, inclusive and participatory election scheduled to be held in early next year.

“As Bangladesh approaches its national election in few months, we are ready to extend our support to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election to make sure the people can freely elect their leaders,” US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said on Thursday while addressing the Ambassador Talk Series on International Day of Peace at a function of North South University in the capital.

The theme of this year’s Peace Day event is – Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals’.

The Ambassador also reiterated his government’s stance to continue talking on the oppression of journalists and even Nobel laureates.

“We speak out regularly on the systematic and pervasive oppression of journalists, media personalities and even Nobel laureates who hold their government accountable,” he stressed.

Emphasising the building of just and inclusive societies in this region through the five pillars of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, he said, “The United States envisions a region that is: Free and open, Connected, Prosperous, Secure, and Resilient.”

Peter Haas that he is committed to building bilateral partnership to tackle shared challenges together.

“Peace flourishes in an environment where nations can freely choose their own path and partners and the people of each country will be allowed to freely elect their leadership,” he said.

“It’s about respecting sovereignty and ensuring that each country has the autonomy to make decisions that best serve its interests.

The United States and Bangladesh share this commitment, advocating for a world where all nation’s choices are respected and supported,” he continued.

He also said that both countries seek to advance common approaches to critical and emerging technologies, the internet, and cyber space, that protect privacy and human dignity.

The envoy said it is about respecting sovereignty and ensuring that each country has the autonomy to make decisions that best serve its interests.

Mentioning the second pillar ‘Connected’, he said, “Our ties do not just connect our governments but bridge our people.

We’re deepening ties between our peoples through educational and exchange opportunities.”

The US Government is committed to promoting broad-based prosperity, so that no country is left behind in the 21st century.

Ensuring steady economic growth is a key component of the strategy, he said.

“Economic growth is a cornerstone of peace. It provides opportunities for people to improve their lives, lifts millions out of poverty and reduces the risk of conflicts borne out of desperation,” he said.

Regarding the security and stability in this region, Haas said, “Security is essential for lasting peace.

It’s about creating a stable environment where nations can thrive without fear of conflict or aggression.

The United States and Bangladesh stand together in our commitment to regional security.

And we are proud to partner with Bangladesh on these challenges and more.”

Regarding the Rohingya issue, he said that it was the collective responsibility of the entire world to make sure that the conditions were in place in Myanmar so that the Rohingyas could return to their homeland with dignity.

“They need to be protected, educated, and they need to enjoy the dignity where they are living,” he said.

The US ambassador said that the Rohingyas should not be punished for the action taken by Myanmar and they should be treated well without any discrimination towards them.

Ambassador Haas laid emphasis on constant collective pressure on Myanmar, noting that the solution to the crisis unfortunately was not so easy.

He said that they were also exploring the option of resettlement, but it offered very limited opportunity as it was meant for only the most vulnerable people.

The ambassador also highlighted the importance of holding people responsible for the genocide.

He appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity in providing shelter to the Rohingyas; otherwise, he thinks the situation would have been far worse.