A group of US lawmakers has expressed concern over the ban of a political party ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, urging the interim government to safeguard democratic principles.
US Representatives Gregory W Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Bill Huizenga and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, sent a letter addressed to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday. The letter was co-signed by Representatives Julie Johnson and Tom Suozzi.
In the letter, the US lawmakers called on the interim government to ensure the 13th national election, scheduled for February, is free, fair, and inclusive of all political stakeholders.
They said it was vital to create conditions for elections that allow the Bangladeshi people to express their will peacefully through the ballot box, alongside reforms to restore confidence in the integrity and nonpartisanship of state institutions.
They said it is vital that the interim government work with parties across the political spectrum to create the conditions for free and fair elections that allow the voice of the Bangladeshi people to be expressed peacefully through the ballot box, as well as reforms that restore confidence in the integrity and nonpartisanship of state institutions.
“We are concerned that this cannot happen if the government suspends activities of political parties or again restarts the flawed International Crimes Tribunal,” the letter read.
“Freedom of association, as well as the principle of individual rather than collective criminal responsibility, are fundamental human rights,” it added.
“We are concerned that the decision to fully suspend the activity of any one political party, rather than focus on persons determined to have committed crimes or gross violations of human rights through the due process of law, is inconsistent with those principles.”
However, the interim government or an elected successor will revisit this decision, they said.
In the letter, they also stressed that the Bangladeshi people deserve to be able to choose an elected government in a free and fair election in which all political parties can participate so that their voices are represented.
“Bangladesh is a critical partner for the United States, and we stand ready to work with you and your government to support both our bilateral relationship and Bangladesh’s democratic transition in the months ahead.”
