Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned that if anyone from outside Bangladesh tries to disrupt the election, the people will counter-sanction them.
She gave this warning at the ``Meet the Press'' event at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Friday night (September 22) local time.
The head of government said that the opposition has also been mentioned in the announcement of the implementation of the US visa policy. Now they (BNP) will not be able to do arson. It will save people's lives.
Sheikh Hasina said, it doesn't matter who gave the ban and who didn't. My son is also here. He is doing business, he is married, he has a daughter, he has property, he has a house. If canceled, will. It doesn't matter. We have Bangladesh.
She said, there is also a question about the election of those who have banned. There is nothing to say if Awami League is targeted through visa policy. I did not come to power by believing in anyone's power. I came to power and am dependent on the people.
Addressing the United States, she said, have they forgotten the illegal elections of 2001, the killing of Bangabandhu in 1975, the illegal seizure of power, the yes-no vote? Where was their awareness of this election?
The Prime Minister said that Awami League has given the right to vote and rice. 'I will give my vote to whomever I want' is my slogan.
Note that on December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and its former officials in Bangladesh. Then on May 27 this year, the country announced a new visa policy for Bangladesh. About five months later, on Friday (September 22), US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that the United States has begun enforcing visa restrictions against those who obstruct the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
The ban includes law enforcement agencies, members of the ruling party and members of opposition political parties, the statement said. Family members of persons covered by the visa ban may also be included.
In this regard, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told the media that the names of those who will be subject to visa restrictions will not be disclosed. This is confidential information under US law.
He said the visa ban was imposed only after a thorough review of the evidence. This visa policy applies not only to Election Day, but to the entire democratic election process.