M Mushfiqul Fazal, White House correspondent
The US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby has said that they are consistent on the need for Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections.
Kirby made the remarks at briefing at White House on Monday when his attention was drawn to the letter from six congressmen to US President Joe Biden, seeking urgent action to stop the human rights abuses by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, and to give the people of Bangladesh the best possible chance for free and fair parliamentary elections.
About the letter, Kirby further said, “Look, we’ve been consistent, and I’m aware of the communication.”
In the briefing, White House correspondent M Mushfiqul Fazal asked, “In a letter to the US President, six congressmen requested urgent action to stop human rights abuse by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They also urged President Biden for measures, including stricter individual sanction, and to give the people of Bangladesh the best possible chance for a free and fair parliamentary election. What is your response about this letter?
In response, Kirby said, “Look, we’ve been consistent, and I’m aware of the communication. We’ve been consistent on the need for Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections. And to demonstrate that commitment, the State Department, as you know, recently announced a 3C visa policy that would restrict visa issuances to individuals who undermine Bangladesh’s elections.”
In a May 25 letter, six members of House of Representatives requested President Joe Biden to take urgent action to stop human rights abuses by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
They also requested the US president to take steps to give Bangladesh the best chance for free and fair elections, including imposing stricter individual sanctions and banning its law enforcement and military personnel from participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
NR/
