Undermining Fair Polls: US taking steps to impose visa curbs on Bangladeshis
We have looked very closely at incidents since we announced this policy. After a careful review of the evidence, we have imposed visa restrictions.
The US Department of State has said it is already taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
"These individuals include members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement yesterday, but did not mention any names.
"These persons and members of their immediate family may be found ineligible for entry into the United States."
Additional persons found to have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process may also be found ineligible for US visas under this policy in the future, Miller said.
"This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services.
"Our actions today [yesterday] reflect the continued commitment of the United States to supporting Bangladesh's goal of peacefully holding free and fair national elections, and to support those seeking to advance democracy globally," the statement reads.
Bryan Schiller, spokesperson of the US embassy in Dhaka, told reporters after the announcement that visa records are confidential under the US law, and that Washington will not release the names or numbers of people subjected to the visa restrictions.
The announcement comes when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is visiting the US to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. On Tuesday, she attended a banquet hosted by US President Joe Biden for global leaders. On Thursday, Hasina held a meeting with US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya and US Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu.
After yesterday's announcement, Zeya wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Secretary Blinken's announcement affirms our commitment to free, fair & peaceful elections worldwide and supports efforts of government of Bangladesh partners, civil society and media to ensure democratic elections that reflect the will of Bangladeshi people."
Earlier on May 24, Washington announced the visa policy against the backdrop of the alleged irregularities in the 2014 and 2018 elections. It came when the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP are at odds over the polls-time administration just ahead of the national elections due by January next year.
The government says the elections will be held under the current administration as per the constitution, but the opposition BNP is demanding an interim administration, arguing that a free and fair election is not possible under the current government.
In the visa policy announcement on May 24, Washington said the actions that undermine the democratic election process include vote rigging, voter intimidation, use of violence to prevent people from exercising their right to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, and use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken had then said the visa restriction is not directed against any particular political party, rather it targets individuals engaging in behaviour that undermines the democratic election process, regardless of affiliation.
Following the announcement, Awami League leaders had said BNP should be worried, as violence before or during the election may trigger visa restrictions. BNP leaders had welcomed it, saying the policy would play a supporting role in ensuring fair elections.
Contacted last night, Awami League's International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed said, "This is nothing new… I don't think we have anything to worry."
Reactions from BNP leaders were not immediately available.
Earlier on December 10, 2021, the US imposed sanctions on Rab and seven of its current and former officials for alleged enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and tortures.
Over the last two years, top US officials made several visits to Bangladesh. They invariably spoke of free and fair elections, upholding human rights, media freedom and protection of human rights defenders.
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