Although US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concerns over the arrest of thousands of opposition activists in the run-up to the January 7 election, he kept silent about the BNP’s arson terrorism.
“We urge the Bangladeshi government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for all of the arrested individuals,” he told a regular briefing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday (Jan 30) responding to a question.
BNP supporters, actively encouraged by the party and its top brass, engaged in widespread violence, vandalism and arson terrorism to thwart the January 7 election. Hundreds of vehicles were burned and damaged and even passenger trains were targeted.
A 20-foot stretch of rail track was uprooted, leading to the derailment of the Dhaka-bound ‘Mohanganj Express’ in Gazipur on December 13, killing one person and injuring several others.
On December 19, four people, including a woman and her child, were killed after saboteurs set three coaches of ‘Mohanganj Express’ train on fire in Dhaka. Law enforcement later confirmed that the arsonists were affiliated with the opposition party.
A day before the national polls, coaches of ‘Benapole Express’ train were set ablaze in Dhaka, killing four people, including two children. Police said it was a planned arson attack.
“We have expressed our concerns with the arrest of thousands of political opposition members in the run-up to those elections,” Miller said in the briefing.
Washington also urged Dhaka to allow opposition members and media professionals, and civil society representatives “to participate meaningfully in the country’s democratic process and civic life”.
“We will continue to engage with the Bangladeshi government to advance that point of view,” he said.
Responding to another query, he said that democracy, as it pertains to Bangladesh and others, advances peace, prosperity, and security.
“It is at the centre of the United States’ foreign policy and we continue to engage with the Bangladeshi government to advance democratic principles, which are key to ensuring peace and prosperity for all Bangladeshis.”
