Both govt, opposition trying to capitalise on US visa restrictions
Staff Reporter :
In the wake of recent US visa restrictions imposed on undisclosed individuals, both the government and the opposition are strategically leveraging the situation to their advantage before the general election.
According to multiple sources, these individuals include members of law enforcement, army officials, bureaucrats, judges, businessmen, media, the ruling party, and the political opposition.
Although the identities of those affected remain undisclosed in public domain, the government officials, ministers, and law enforcement agencies have moved to reassure the public that these measures will not strain relations between Bangladesh and the United States, nor will they adversely affect the country’s police force.
Officials contend that the visa restrictions are specifically aimed at individuals who pose a threat to hold free and fair elections.
In light of the government’s steadfast commitment to conducting a transparent electoral process, they maintain that there is no cause for concern regarding the visa ban.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen finds no reason to anticipate strained relations between the two countries in the wake of the recent US visa restriction on Bangladeshi citizens.
“We have no concerns regarding the United States.
Those who attempt to disrupt the upcoming elections in Bangladesh will not be granted visas by the United States,” he said during a conversation with journalists in Manhattan in US on Saturday.
He further added, “President Joe Biden wishes to strengthen our already strong bilateral relationship with Bangladesh over the next 50 years and beyond.”
Regarding the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Bangladesh, President Biden sent a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stating, “I am confident that our partnership will remain unshaken over the next 50 years and beyond.”
On Friday night, during a conversation with journalists at his residence, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam further explained, “Since the government has received assurance from the United States, there is no reason to impose further restrictions before the upcoming election.”
The United States has stated that it will not disclose the names or numbers of individuals facing visa restrictions.
US Chargé d’Affaires Brian Shuler said on Friday, “Visa records are confidential according to American law.”
He also mentioned that since the announcement of the visa policy, the U.S. government has been closely monitoring the events.
Shuler added, “After reviewing evidence, we have imposed visa restrictions on law enforcement agencies, powerful factions, and members of opposition political parties.”
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that the visa policy is up to US and he has no comment on it.
“So we know what we have heard, and so do you,” the minister told the reporters in the secretariat.
But the political parties and the analysts said that the visa restriction has put the Awami League government under ‘huge’ pressure ahead of the election to be held free and fair.
The visa ban and the EU observers’ unwillingness to oversee the general election have put the government under pressure to hold a free, fair, inclusive and impartial election, they said.
They further said that Awami League high-ups never thought that such restrictions would be slapped ahead of the parliamentary election early next year.
On the other hand, the opposition BNP has sharply criticised the government and held Awami League government solely responsible for such visa restriction.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the incumbent government has brought ‘shame’ for the country and did not care the democratic values in a bid to clinging to power.
BNP party insiders said that the visa restriction, however, would boost the morale of the party leaders and activists to intensify their movement to step down Shekh Hasina government.
Meanwhile, BNP has been carrying out their series of 15-day countrywide programmes with one point demand for election under a caretaker government and the dissolution of the parliament through the resignation of the current government.
BNP said they would continue their movement until their demands are realised to build a country based on the values of democracy where people will be able to exercise their mandate freely.
The US imposed visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
The United States is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner.
