Rights situation: US can indeed raise concerns
Considering the robust partnership among the two countries, the US can raise concerns over various issues in Bangladesh, said Ned Price, spokesperson for the US State Department.
"As part of our partnership, we're in a position to raise a number of issues, shared interests, but also concerns."
The comments came in response to a journalist's questions at a press briefing at the state department on Thursday.
Earlier on June 1, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sent a message to reporters, insisting them to question the US Ambassador in Bangladesh regarding their own human rights issues.
He had said that nearly 1 lakh US citizens go missing in America every year, and even children are deprived of reuniting with their Hispanic parents.
The minister asked why the US obstructed the broadcast of RT TV (a Russian TV channel) if it wanted "freedom of press".
He also questioned the rights situation of immigrants, including the African-Americans and Hispanics, in the US and the "lack of faith of young Americans in their election process".
Speaking to the reporters, Price said the US regularly raises human rights issues with Bangladesh both publicly and privately.
"We urge the strengthening of democratic processes and political institutions, the rule of law, protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms, workers' rights and safety, and the protection of refugees as well."
He pointed out that the US provided more than $8 billion in assistance to Bangladesh since its independence.
In 2021 alone, USAID provided over $300 million to improve the lives of the Bangladeshis, promote democracy and good governance, and protect the environment.
"We'll continue to have such conversations with our Bangladeshi partners."
The journalist asked for his comments on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent remarks on "dropping" former premier Khaleda Zia and Nobel Laureate Prof Mohammad Yunus in the river from the Padma Bridge.
Hasina had also claimed Yunus influenced the US to stop the World Bank from funding the bridge construction.
The journalist then sought Price's comments on law enforcers attacking peaceful demonstrations.
Price said the freedom of assembly, expression, the right of individuals everywhere to protest peacefully is universal. These rights and freedoms apply equally to the people of Bangladesh as it does to those anywhere around the world.
"We call on governments around the world, we call on security services, security forces, and civil forces as well to respect that right, to allow for individuals to assemble peacefully to make their voices heard."
Comments