M Mushfiqul Fazal, State Department correspondent
Expressing concern about police and ruling party Awami League’s joint attack during BNP’s sit-in programmes at Dhaka’s entry points on July 29, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said they are concerned about the reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding this weekend’s political protests.
He said, “We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account.”
Miller said free and fair elections cannot take place in an environment with political violence.
The State Department spokesperson said these while replying to a query about police and AL’s attack on the opposition party during peaceful demonstrations in Dhaka at a briefing on Monday.
In the briefing, State Department correspondent M Mushfiqul Fazal asked, “On Bangladesh, millions of people marched capital city Dhaka in protest demanding the resignation of the ruling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The local and international media reports that on Saturday police and ruling party members brutally attacked demonstrators, opposition leaders during peaceful demonstrations, resulting in hundreds of injuries, including the top opposition leader, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy. How do you assess or monitor this escalating situation, considering the government’s apparent hardline stance towards the opposition and police brutality? What steps will the State Department take to ensure the possibility of a credible and peaceful election in Bangladesh?”
In response, Miller said, “We are concerned about the reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding this weekend’s political protests. We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account.”
He said, “We urge Bangladesh to create a safe environment for people to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns, and we call on all parties to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation.”
The State Department spokesperson said, “I will say finally that free and fair elections depend on the commitment of everyone - voters, political parties, youth wings, and police.”
Free and fair elections cannot take place in an environment with political violence, he added.
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