Special correspondent
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, was continuing to follow the situation in Bangladesh centering 12th national elections.
Florencia Soto Niño, associate spokesperson for the UN Secreatry-General, made the remark while replying to a query on Bangladesh’s controversial national elections at a briefing held at UN headquarters in New York on Monday.
Referring to the national polls, a journalist mentioned that Sheikh Hasina claimed victory in the elections that took place in an atmosphere where thousands of people and opposition activists were arrested. He sought to know does the UN believes these elections were free and fair.
In response, the spokesperson for the UN Secreatry-General said, “We have seen the situation that’s unfolding there. The secretary general continues to follow what’s happening. He notes the opposition’s decision to boycott the elections. I mean, all the allegations of the stifling of dissenting and critical voices and arrest of opposition leaders.”
She said the UN secretary general is obviously concerned about reports of incidents of violence prior to, and during the elections and he calls on all parties to reject all forms of violence and to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are fully respected.
This is essential for the consolidation of democracy and economic prosperity there, she added.
MR/
