Staff Reporter :
Four US senators have urged Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, to implement urgent democratic reforms and enhance accountability in response to widespread protests across the country.
In a letter addressed to Dr Yunus on Friday, Senators Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Chris Murphy, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley, emphasised the need for swift political and institutional changes in Bangladesh.
The senators expressed concern over recent protests, which have highlighted a growing demand for democratic reforms. They stressed the importance of protecting human rights, ensuring inclusive participation in governance, and holding those responsible for violence against vulnerable communities accountable.
In their letter, the senators congratulated Dr Yunus on his leadership during this pivotal moment for Bangladesh, stating that in the recent weeks, the world has witnessed how the people of Bangladesh have courageously demonstrated the transformative power of collective action.
They further added that the transition presents a historic opportunity to reform institutions, protect human rights, and ensure inclusive participation in governance.
The senators acknowledged the significance of the recent protests, noting how Bangladeshi citizens have united to demand change and the citizens have united, their voices can compel even the most entrenched and authoritarian leaders to relinquish power. However, they also expressed sorrow over the violence that accompanied these protests, which they said came at a significant cost.
Rather than addressing the protestors’ legitimate grievances, the senators highlighted that Bangladesh’s security forces, including the Rapid Action Battalion, responded with excessive force, resulting in hundreds of deaths and the arrest and injury of thousands more.
The letter further stated that they mourn the lives that were lost and urge your interim government to create a credible process to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the security services’ human rights violations.
This will be vital both as a demonstration of your commitment to respecting the rights of the protestors and as a signal of your interim government’s intention to work in good faith to address their grievances.
The senators called for institutional reforms in Bangladesh, urging the interim government to protect basic human rights, including freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.
They also advocated for inclusive governance that represents the country’s diverse population, supports civil society, and promotes independent media. Additionally, they called for the prosecution of individuals responsible for violence against citizens.
The people of Bangladesh deserve a government that honours their voices, safeguards their rights, and upholds their dignity, they emphasised.
The letter also raised concerns about violent reprisals during celebrations marking the political transition. The senators pointed to documented attacks on the police, minority Hindu communities, and individuals perceived to be supporters of the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina. They highlighted gaps in law enforcement and the lack of protection for vulnerable groups, including members of the Hindu community and Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.
We urge you to take these threats and incidents of violence seriously, just as we applaud your recent promise to continue supporting the million-plus Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh, the senators wrote.
They stressed that only by protecting all communities in Bangladesh under the law can the country realise its promising future.
The letter concluded by calling for unity in Bangladesh, with the senators urging citizens to come together to build an inclusive government that fully utilises the nation’s potential. They noted that, in a world facing repeated assaults on democratic ideals, Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to lead by delivering the “second liberation” that many protestors have called for.
The US lawmakers affirmed their readiness to assist Bangladesh in navigating this critical period, writing that they are ready to stand by and assist Bangladesh to ensure a successful transition to a democracy truly representative of the will of the Bangladeshi people.