US Senate stresses dialogue for credible polls
US Senate stresses dialogue for credible polls
The US Senate has adopted a resolution on Bangladesh laying emphasis on 'critical need for political dialogue' among the political parties.
The resolution, cleared by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on December 18, was agreed in Senate without amendment, said a statement posted on the official website of the Senate.
Condemning the political violence in Bangladesh, the Senate urged the country's political leaders to engage 'directly and substantively' in a dialogue towards free, fair and credible elections.
Meanwhile, Russia said it regretted that key opposition parties in Bangladesh boycotted the parliamentary elections.
According to a report of Russian news agency ITAR-TASS on Thursday, Moscow said it is ready to continue constructive partnership with a government, which will be formed soon and hopes the political parties, will not go beyond the Constitution in order to ensure stability and strengthen democratic institutions in the country.
The US Senate urged the leaders to take immediate steps to rein in and condemn violence as well as to provide space for peaceful political protests.
The US Senate also said Bangladesh government should ensure judicial independence, end harassment of human rights activists and restore the independence of Grameen Bank.
It supported the UN efforts to foster political dialogue between political parties.
Senators Richard Durbin, Michael B Enzi and Christopher S Murphy submitted the resolution in the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on December 11.