US reiterates importance of free, fair election

Bangladesh urges US to continue pressure on Myanmar

The United States has reiterated the importance of free and fair elections in Bangladesh. The issue was discussed in the meetings between Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and US Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan as well other senior state department officials in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday. The meetings took place on the margins of the ‘Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom’, according to a readout issued by state department spokesperson Heather Nauert yesterday.

“Discussions focused on the strong US-Bangladesh strategic partnership, the ongoing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya in Bangladesh and efforts to facilitate their voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation to Burma, and the importance of free and fair elections,” said the readout.

The deputy secretary expressed his appreciation to the foreign minister for his participation in the event.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the embassy in Washington Wednesday night said that Foreign Minister Ali had a bilateral meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan on Tuesday.

Sullivan profusely thanked Bangladesh for its role in addressing the Rohingya crisis as the two leaders discussed the Rohingya crisis at ‘great length’.

Foreign Minister Ali conveyed sincere thanks and appreciation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to US President Donald Trump and his administration for the strong and consistent humanitarian and political support to Bangladesh in dealing with this massive humanitarian crisis.

He urged the US administration to remain engaged with Myanmar to ensure dignified, safe and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. Acknowledging the fact that it is a staggering burden on Bangladesh to host 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, Deputy Secretary Sullivan assured that the United States would continue to work with Myanmar government for their early repatriation.

Ali urged Sullivan to continue pressure on Myanmar. In response, the deputy secretary said the United States would continue its pressure on Myanmar to create safe and secured conditions in Northern Rakhine for repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh to their homes in Myanmar.

During the meeting, the foreign minister requested the US administration to return Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to face justice. He said that the return of this convicted killer would create a tremendous amount of goodwill about the United States among the people of Bangladesh.

In response, Deputy Secretary Sullivan stated that he is aware of the issue and the United States Department of Justice is dealing with this.

US hopes city polls to be free, fair, credible

UNB adds: Outgoing US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat yesterday hoped that elections in the city corporations and national one will be held in a “free, fair, credible and inclusive” manner.

“We always advocate for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections,” she told reporters adding that they along with Bangladesh officials always work towards that goal.

After her meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, the US envoy said in every democracy there is example of irregularities that occur in elections and their goal is to improving that process.

She said she is always hopeful and optimistic as Bangladesh has the history of holding free, fair and credible elections.

“We talked about wide range of issues involving elections,” Bernicat said emphasizing on how to promote credible elections. “This is an ongoing discussion.”

The US envoy who was criticized for commenting on Bangladesh election issues said criticism is part and parcel of healthy democracy. “Freedom to speech and freedom to assemble are fundamental rights that both of our constituencies guarantee.”

Bernicat said, “You have the right to say that US Ambassador does not know what she is talking about. They have the ability to say that who disagree with me. That’s the beauty of democracy”

She said her government responded that she is not speaking for herself but she is speaking for the US government.

Apparently reacting to US Ambassador’s comments on Bangladesh elections, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader earlier stressed avoiding such remarks that might hurt friendly relations between the two countries.

Bernicat commended the holding of elections to Khulna and Gazipur city corporations but expressed concern by reports of election “irregularities, including ballot box stuffing, intimidation” of political players, polling agents before the end of voting.

She also expressed satisfaction over the lower level of violence and wider participation of political parties in the elections.

US reiterates importance of free, fair election

Bangladesh urges US to continue pressure on Myanmar

The United States has reiterated the importance of free and fair elections in Bangladesh. The issue was discussed in the meetings between Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and US Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan as well other senior state department officials in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday. The meetings took place on the margins of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, according to a readout issued by state department spokesperson Heather Nauert yesterday. Discussions focused on the strong US-Bangladesh strategic partnership, the ongoing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya in Bangladesh and efforts to facilitate their voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation to Burma, and the importance of free and fair elections, said the readout. The deputy secretary expressed his appreciation to the foreign minister for his participation in the event. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the embassy in Washington Wednesday night said that Foreign Minister Ali had a bilateral meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan on Tuesday. Sullivan profusely thanked Bangladesh for its role in addressing the Rohingya crisis as the two leaders discussed the Rohingya crisis at great length. Foreign Minister Ali conveyed sincere thanks and appreciation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to US President Donald Trump and his administration for the strong and consistent humanitarian and political support to Bangladesh in dealing with this massive humanitarian crisis. He urged the US administration to remain engaged with Myanmar to ensure dignified, safe and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. Acknowledging the fact that it is a staggering burden on Bangladesh to host 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, Deputy Secretary Sullivan assured that the United States would continue to work with Myanmar government for their early repatriation. Ali urged Sullivan to continue pressure on Myanmar. In response, the deputy secretary said the United States would continue its pressure on Myanmar to create safe and secured conditions in Northern Rakhine for repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh to their homes in Myanmar. During the meeting, the foreign minister requested the US administration to return Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to face justice. He said that the return of this convicted killer would create a tremendous amount of goodwill about the United States among the people of Bangladesh. In response, Deputy Secretary Sullivan stated that he is aware of the issue and the United States Department of Justice is dealing with this. US hopes city polls to be free, fair, credible UNB adds: Outgoing US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat yesterday hoped that elections in the city corporations and national one will be held in a free, fair, credible and inclusive manner. We always advocate for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, she told reporters adding that they along with Bangladesh officials always work towards that goal. After her meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, the US envoy said in every democracy there is example of irregularities that occur in elections and their goal is to improving that process. She said she is always hopeful and optimistic as Bangladesh has the history of holding free, fair and credible elections. We talked about wide range of issues involving elections, Bernicat said emphasizing on how to promote credible elections. This is an ongoing discussion. The US envoy who was criticized for commenting on Bangladesh election issues said criticism is part and parcel of healthy democracy. Freedom to speech and freedom to assemble are fundamental rights that both of our constituencies guarantee. Bernicat said, You have the right to say that US Ambassador does not know what she is talking about. They have the ability to say that who disagree with me. Thats the beauty of democracy She said her government responded that she is not speaking for herself but she is speaking for the US government. Apparently reacting to US Ambassadors comments on Bangladesh elections, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader earlier stressed avoiding such remarks that might hurt friendly relations between the two countries. Bernicat commended the holding of elections to Khulna and Gazipur city corporations but expressed concern by reports of election irregularities, including ballot box stuffing, intimidation of political players, polling agents before the end of voting. She also expressed satisfaction over the lower level of violence and wider participation of political parties in the elections.