Staff Reporter :
The United States has welcomed the call from Interim Government Chief Adviser, Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus, for enhanced security and an end to violence for the protection of Bangladeshi citizens.
In a regular briefing on Wednesday local time, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel praised the interim government’s initiatives in response to a journalist’s question regarding the security situation and human rights issues in Bangladesh.
Patel stated that discussions have been held with Indian partners and other countries in the region regarding recent events in Bangladesh.
“We welcome Dr. Yunus’s call for calm and an end to the recent violence,
as well as the new government’s focus on restoring security and protecting members of minority communities,” he said.
When asked whether Indian-American Congress members Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar had sent letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the weekend, requesting intervention and assistance to protect Hindus in Bangladesh, Patel confirmed that they are engaged with Congress on the matter.
“We engage with partners in Congress regularly,” he said.
In reply to another question about the recent developments in Bangladesh, the deputy spokesperson said, “On the topic of Bangladesh, we have been in touch with our Indian partners as well as other countries in the region to discuss recent events.”
About the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, he said, “I’m not going to get into private diplomatic discussions, but we continue to push for an end to violence in Bangladesh as well as for accountability and respect for the rule of law.”
Since the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, the State Department has issued a series of statements on the changing phenomena in Bangladesh.
Questions were raised against the US government for allegedly spearheading the student movement that led to the fall of the ironfisted Hasina, who ruled the country for 15 years.
The State Department brushed aside any allegations of its implication in the movement.