US raises its concerns over Peter Haas’s security to Bangladesh govt: State Department

US raises its concerns over Peter Haas’s security to Bangladesh govt: State Department

M Mushfiqul Fazal, State Department Correspondent

The United States has raised its concerns about the security of the US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas at the highest levels of the Bangladeshi government, the US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has said.

He made the remark while replying to a query on Bangladesh government’s crackdown on opposition and ruling party activists’ obstruction during ambassador Peter D Haas’s visit in the house of a victim of enforced disappearance.

On Wednesday, Peter Haas, hurriedly concluded his meeting with families of the victims of enforced disappearance in the capital’s Shahinbagh, following security concerns triggered by the gathering of some ruling party supporters surrounding his meeting place.

‘The US ambassador and embassy staff concluded a meeting today due to security concerns. We are raising this matter at the highest levels of the Bangladesh government,’ the US embassy in Dhaka later said in a statement.

The United States raises human rights with its Bangladeshi counterparts when they have concerns about developments that erode space for independent media, civil society, and free and fair elections, said the US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson.

In the briefing, State Department Correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal asked: “On Bangladesh, U.S. ambassador in Bangladesh, Ambassador Peter Haas, has faced obstruction by the pro-regime supporters while he was visiting a victim Sajedul Islam family this morning. Then he rushed to the foreign ministry and met with the foreign minister and expressed his concern. And as you know, Bangladesh regime, is very much attacking the opposition, thousands of opposition activists, including the top leadership that is in jail. And this is the second incident as ambassador Marcia Bernicat was attacked on August 6th, 2018, same, pro-government activists. So what is your comment on that, and how a country like the USA is involving with the social activities and facing harassment by the pro-government people? So what is your comment on that?”

In reply, Vedant Patel said, “The U.S. is committed to taking actions consistent with its values and recognizes the respect for human rights as a prerequisite for global peace, security, and prosperity. And as a key element of our bilateral relationship, we raise human rights with our Bangladeshi counterparts when we have concerns about developments that erode space for independent media, civil society, and free and fair elections.”

He further said, “As it relates to the specific meeting that you mentioned, the U.S. ambassador and embassy staff concluded a meeting early on December 14th to – due to security concerns. And we have raised our concerns about this matter at the highest levels of the Bangladeshi Government.”

MN/