The United Nations wants to see fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh in a fear-free environment.
In the regular press briefing of the UN Secretary General on Thursday (December 21), the spokesperson of the organization, Stephen Dujarric, said this in response to a question on the issue of the Bangladesh election.
Dujarric said the United Nations must have a say on how the elections in Bangladesh will be held.
Highlighting the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh surrounding the election, a journalist wants to know, reports from the media and international human rights organizations say -- the ruling government of Bangladesh has made all preparations to hold another one-sided election on January 7. This election is being organized keeping all the leaders and activists of the opposition party in jail. According to a Voice of America English report, 6 opposition activists have died in custody in the past 2 weeks. In this ongoing situation, will you still reiterate the call for free, fair and credible elections, or will the UN Secretary General personally take initiatives to restore democracy in Bangladesh? The people of Bangladesh are looking forward to what role the international community plays in establishing democracy and human rights.
Referring to the UN's clear position on the election issue, Dujarric said, "I have said before that we want a free and fair election where people can participate in their voting process without fear of intimidation."
This spokesperson of the UN Secretary General said that after the election, the UN must give its position on how the election was organized. But our position has not changed.