US seeks free, fair and credible elections in Bangladesh

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Lalit K Jha, Washington
Published : 10:00, Nov 10, 2018 | Updated : 10:07, Nov 10, 2018

The United States on Friday said sought a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh, one that is participatory and reflects the will of its people. 

“We encourage continued discussions and an open exchange of ideas as Bangladesh approaches its national elections, which must be free, fair, credible, participatory and reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people,” a State Department Spokesperson told Bangla Tribune.

In its first reaction after Chief Election Commissioner announced that the general elections would be held on December 23, the State Department spokesperson said that open dialogue and freedom of expression are central to the democratic process. 

“We support the democratic process and values that the people of both Bangladesh and the United States hold dear,” said the spokesperson in response to a question.  

According to Aparna Pande, with the Hudson Institute think-tank, the 'India factor' is key in Bangladeshi politics and will matter in the upcoming elections as well.

“India's policy towards Rohingyas as well as the NRC (National Register of Citizens) issue in Assam has already impacted how the average Bangladeshi views India and will be used by political parties during campaigns,” Pande told Bangla Tribune.

Noting that New Delhi seeks political stability in Bangladesh and from its point of view the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina are key allies, Pande said that India has tried to build relations with opposition parties including BNP but it has been an uphill task.

“If the Awami League returns to power, there will be little change in policies. If, however, an opposition coalition comes to power, Delhi will need to be prepared for pushback on some policies and also bear in mind that Beijing may try to deepen its presence, she warned.

Meanwhile, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) has announced a Congressional briefing on November 15 on how political tension related to the upcoming elections in Bangladesh is impacting human rights in the country.

Bangladesh has faced increasingly difficult human rights challenges in recent years, the commission said.

The country’s decision to open its border to approximately 800,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing gross human rights violations in Burma has been applauded by the international community.

On the other hand, the Bangladeshi government’s targeting of political opposition groups and proponents of free speech threatens to shutter civil society and increase extremism, it said.

“With parliamentary elections only a few months away, political violence and a wide range of other human rights abuses are on the rise throughout the country,” the commission said.

Those invited to testify before the Commission are John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch; Waris Husain, Policy Analyst, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; and Laura Bramon, Senior Program Manager, Child Protection and Education, World Vision US.

“Panelists will analyze the human rights situation within this complex environment and offer recommendations for what more the US government and the international community can do to encourage Bangladesh to protect individual rights and freedoms and ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair,” the commission said.

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