The attention of the United States is on the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh and the country is closely monitoring the election situation.
State Department's Chief Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel made this comment in response to a question regarding the government's ongoing arrest, oppression and burning of the hands of the Awami League leaders and activists at the State Department's regular briefing on Monday (November 6).
Vedanta said that the country is regularly communicating with all partners including the government, opposition parties, civil society on behalf of the United States to work according to the will of the people of Bangladesh. The United States continues to call on all partners to work toward this goal.
In a discussion meeting in Dhaka on November 3, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, 'Those who set fire must be prevented. The hand that gives fire should be burnt. Those who are setting fire should be caught and thrown into that fire.
Referring to the government's desperation to suppress the opposition and declaring a kind of war, journalist Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari wanted to know, "There are protests across the country demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina." On the other hand, the government has declared a kind of war against the main opposition BNP and the protesters. At least 8,000 opposition leaders have been arrested since the protests began on October 28. BNP Secretary General and top leaders have also been arrested. 11 people were killed. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered her leaders and activists to throw opposition leaders and activists into fire or burn their hands. International groups, including the United States, are committed to creating a peaceful and credible environment for the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh. Will you support the expectations of the people of Bangladesh in creating this environment for elections and holding elections under a caretaker government?'
In response, Vedanta said, 'The United States does not support any particular political party in Bangladesh. We do not favor one party over another. Our focus is on the national elections to be held in Bangladesh next January and we are closely monitoring the election situation.
This spokesperson further said, 'We are in regular contact with all partners including the government, opposition parties, civil society and call upon them to work together for the benefit of the people.