Threatening diplomats unacceptable: US

Staff Reporter  :
The US State Department has said that violence or threats of violence directed at US diplomat stationed in Dhaka is unacceptable.

“So the safety and security of our diplomats overseas is, of course, our top priority. We take any threats against them very seriously.

Violence or threats of violence directed at our diplomatic personnel is unacceptable,” Spokesperson Matthew Miller said this during the department’s briefing in Washington on Thursday.

One of the journalists asked Miller, “Ambassador Peter Haas continues to receive death threats from the ruling party members.

From central to grassroots-level ruling party, Awami League leaders are speaking in the same tone, wanting to slaughter the ambassador.

And the ambassador himself yesterday expressed his deep concern for his security and their basic personnel security.

Does the secretary general take this threat seriously, and this – the violent rhetoric?”

In response, Miller said that they have repeatedly raised our concerns about the threatening rhetoric directed at Ambassador Haas with the Bangladeshi Government.

He also reminded that that the host country has an obligation under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to ensure the safety and security of US diplomatic missions and personnel. “We expect them to act on those obligations,” he said.

Senior Vice President of Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali Upazila Awami League, Faridul Alam, threatened to kill US Ambassador Peter Haas. Video footage of his speech in this regard was circulated on social media last Wednesday.

In addition, Mujibul Haque Chowdhury, Chairman of Chambal Union in Chattogram’s Banshkhali and convener of Union Awami League, also threatened to beat up US Ambassador Peter Haas last week. He circulated this statement on his Facebook Live as well.

Mathew Miller was also asked: “Bangladesh Government allows the election, therefore, the parliamentary election on January 7, ignoring the protest from the opposition parties.

And the US calls for a political consensus. So – and obviously all political party rejected it, and the crackdown is going on.

So what is your position to hold a free, fair, and credible election and make the government accountable?”

He said, “So we have been consistent in our message regarding the upcoming elections, and that message remains the same now that the polling day has been announced.

We want what the Bangladeshi people themselves want: free and fair elections which are conducted in a peaceful manner.”

Regarding the US position in Bangladesh, he said, “We do not support one political party in Bangladesh; we don’t favor one political party over the other.”

Underscoring the need for peaceful environment during election, Miller said, “We urge all parties to exercise restraint, avoid violence, and work together to create the conditions for free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner.”