Give more space to civil society
Expressing concern, the United States has called upon the Bangladesh government to ensure more space and an environment for civil society groups to help them operate freely.
Stifling of dissent undermines Bangladesh's vibrant civil society and long-term stability, said US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal, adding that it would be essential to maintain an environment and provide space where civil society can positively spark social change.
Biswal stated this early yesterday (BST) during a meeting in Washington DC with a Bangladesh delegation led by Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque.
According to meeting sources, the assistant secretary asserted that violence had no space in a democratic political process and that the US was disturbed by the use of violence, inflammatory rhetoric and intimidation and violence against minority communities by political parties.
The US was also concerned by recent reports of continuing extra judicial killings and disappearances allegedly caused by security forces, the sources added.
However, Biswal said although the January 5 election in Bangladesh had a low turnout, the US would continue to remain engaged with the government of Bangladesh in working towards a stable, prosperous and democratic country, according to a foreign ministry press release.
On the February 11 hearing at the US Senate, Biswal said she wanted to portray US-Bangladesh relations before the senate committee in a balanced manner within a broader context, said the press release.
The Foreign Secretary was accompanied to the meeting with Biswal by Bangladesh Ambassador to USA Akramul Qader, Deputy Chief of Mission Muhammad Abdul Muhith, and Director General (Americas) at the Foreign Ministry Mahfuzur Rahman.
Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South & Central Asian Affairs, accompanied Biswal at the meeting, which was followed by a luncheon.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary also had meetings with senior Adviser for Myanmar Judith Cefkin and a number of officials of the Department of Labour, USTR and State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour.
The foreign secretary briefed the US officials about the priorities of the present government, particularly law and order, economic advancement and growth in business, democracy and good governance and regional integration, security and stability.
He said the present leadership in Bangladesh believed in a consensus-based political process and was always forthcoming in providing necessary space to the political parties as well as civil society.
The foreign secretary reiterated the government's commitment to protect the lives and properties of the people of Bangladesh. He also apprised the US officials of various programmes undertaken to protect labour rights and ensure workplace safety in the RMG sector.
The two sides extensively discussed regional integration and various regional and sub-regional arrangements, including Indo-Pacific Corridor (new silk route), SAARC, BCIM and other triangular initiatives in the areas of hydropower, energy and connectivity.
Nisha Biswal emphasised that South Asia as a region is a conduit between East and West Asia and United States expected that Bangladesh would continue its leading role in promoting regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, in the meeting on trade and labour issues with United States Trade Representative (USTR), Department of Labour and the Bureau of International Labour Affairs, there was no clear indication about GSP restoration as the US officials termed it a multi-party affair and no one could indicate any hope, said sources.
At the meeting on the Myanmar issue, Judith Cefkin said the US would continue pursuing the Myanmar government to resolve the refugee and displacement issues which originated in Myanmar.
On the Ticfa issue, the US side has fixed April 7, 8 for the first council meeting.
Meanwhile, the third Bangladesh-US Security Dialogue will be held in Dhaka on April 16 while the third US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue will take place in Washington in mid-June.
A 4-member Bangladesh delegation led by the Foreign Secretary is now in Washington to attend the second steering committee meeting of the Global Fund for Community Engagement and Resilience scheduled for today.
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