UN reiterates hope for ‘free, fair and credible’ election in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter :
The United Nations has reiterated its call for not sending observers in the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh without a specific mandate.

In addition, it has once again hoped that Bangladesh will hold a ‘free, fair, and credible’ election.

During a press briefing, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, made the remarks in reply to the questions of the journalists in the UN Headquarters on Friday.

He was asked that Bangladesh is committed to hold a free, fair and inclusive election and would welcome all cooperation from democratic allies.

Is United Nations planning to send observers to Bangladesh during its national election?

“No. The United Nations in very recent… I mean, my memory, without a specific mandate, no longer sends observers,” he said.

In another question he was asked that the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry had sent a letter to the Secretary General António Guterres, seeking UN support, terming people demands for democratic and voting rights as unwarranted, vested political pressure before election has furnished a moment, sent a letter to Secretary General, according to media reports. What is your response? And does the Secretary-General award that regime preparing for another one-sided election, putting the main opposition in the jail?

He said, “I haven’t seen the letter, and I would just refer you to what I’ve already said extensively on the elections in Bangladesh and our hopes for a free, fair, and credible elections.”

A journalists asked that United Nations will mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide.

However, I regret to share with you that the United Nations is yet to take action to recognise the genocidal action committed by occupying force in Bangladesh during its Liberation War in 1971.

Replying the question, the Spokesman said, “With all due respect to historical events and those who suffered during those historical events, I will not comment on things that happened that long ago.

Second, as we’ve said here repeatedly over and over again, it is not for the Secretary-General to designate an event as genocide.

It is up to competent judicial authorities.”