The United States, while commenting on Bangladesh, said peaceful expression of dissent is an essential part of a functioning democracy, reports UNB. "We continue to monitor the situation and encourage all parties to engage peacefully and responsibly, and for all sides to refrain from violence," said the US Department of State. The US Embassy in Dhaka shared the message on its official Facebook page yesterday. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, also a former prime minister, was jailed for five years on Thursday in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.