UN seeks intimidation, repression- free election in Bangladeshi
Staff Reporter :
The United States has primarily focused on the free and fair election, ensuring that every voters can exercise their right to vote without intimidation or repercussions.
During a press briefing in the UN Headquarters on Tuesday, Stephane Dujarric, a Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, came up with the remarks in reply to a question of the journalist.
The journalist asked that six leading international human rights organiations, including Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and ICAED, urged the international community to stand for the protection of fundamental rights in Bangladesh, as the regime makes the whole country in prison ahead of the so-called election.
May I ask what steps the UN is taking to rescue the fundamental rights and voting rights in Bangladesh?
Stephane said, “We continue to engage on this issue and continue to call for the organisation of free and fair elections in which every Bangladeshi can vote, free of intimidation, or free of any repercussions.”
As the international community intensifies its scrutiny of the electoral climate in Bangladesh, concerns have risen regarding potential violations of fundamental rights and the integrity of the electoral process.
The joint appeal by these human rights organisations underscores the gravity of the situation and emphasises the need for immediate attention to prevent any infringement on the democratic rights of the Bangladeshi population.
The UN spokesperson reiterated the organisation’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to free and fair elections.
The call for international support in upholding fundamental rights in Bangladesh echoes a broader concern for democratic principles and the protection of citizens’ rights during the electoral process.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains watchful, awaiting developments that will determine the course of democratic governance in Bangladesh in the lead-up to the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections on January 7.
The general election of Bangladesh is currently get much focus in the UN press briefings and every time the briefer is emphasising that the UN body wants to see a free, fair and violence free election.
Though a number of political parties are contesting the poll, the major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has boycotted the election, saying that the poll cannot be free and fair under the incumbent government as they witnessed it in the last two elections in 2014 and 2018.
The ruling party is buoyant with the election preparation as they do not have any strong opposition and their path to victory is almost evident.
On the other hand, most of the BNP leaders including its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other aged presidium members are languishing behind bars under the ‘trumped-up’ charges and they are being denied of bails.
Protesting the Election Commission’s move for holding the parliamentary poll, BNP and some other opposition political parties are currently in the streets to realise their demands for the dissolution of the parliament and the formation of a caretaker government under whose supervision the election can only be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
