Staff Reporter :
The US State Department has voiced concern over recent actions taken by the interim government of Bangladesh, including the suppression of political activity and media freedoms, and called for the protection of basic democratic rights.
Spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that the US strongly supports the protection of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the rights of journalists in Bangladesh.
“We support the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association for all, including dissenting and opposition voices,” he said.
Patel’s comments came in response to the Bangladesh government’s recent actions preventing Awami League activists from organizing a political rally in Dhaka on November 10th.
The US expressed its concern that such actions undermine the fundamental democratic rights that are crucial to any democratic society.
“These freedoms are essential elements of any democracy, and we routinely communicate this support to all our partners, including the interim government of Bangladesh,” the spokesperson said.
The US spokesperson stressed that upholding and protecting these freedoms for all Bangladeshis is necessary to ensure a true democratic future for the country.
Patel urged the interim government to respect these freedoms and allow for free and open political participation, which is necessary for a healthy democracy.
Patel also addressed a separate issue concerning press in Bangladesh, where a recent report indicated that 184 journalists had been stripped of their press credentials, including the Associated Press (AP) bureau chief.
While Patel noted he had not seen the specific report, he reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to press freedom.
“I had not seen that reporting. Of course, if it’s true, would be unfortunate,” he added.