Dhaka – The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday adopted a resolution on Bangladesh and expressed ‘great concern’ about
the continued political deadlock in Bangladesh.
In its six-point recommendation, the Senate Committee condemned the political violence in Bangladesh and urged political leaders in
Bangladesh to engage ‘directly and substantively’ in a dialogue towards free, fair, and credible elections.
It also urged political leaders in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and access of observers to its upcoming elections.
The Senate Committee urged political leaders in Bangladesh to take immediate steps to rein in and to condemn the violence as well as to
provide space for peaceful political protests.
The US Senate Committee urged the government of Bangladesh to ensure judicial independence, end harassment of human rights activists, and
restore the independence of Grameen Bank.
It supported the ongoing efforts by United Nations Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco to foster political dialogue between
political factions in Bangladesh.
The resolution will be followed by a full hearing in the US Senate anytime soon.
Earlier, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in its business meeting discussed Bangladesh’s political issues as the two major
political parties — Awami League and BNP — have failed to reach any political consensus.
The meeting laid emphasis on ‘critical need for political reform in Bangladesh’.
There had been seven agendas in the meeting, including one on Bangladesh – ‘A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate
regarding the critical need for political reform in Bangladesh, and for other purposes, according to the US Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations website.
Senator Robert Menendez presided over the meeting held at 2.15pm (Washington DC time) at the Capitol Building.
Senators Richard Durbin and Michael B Enzi and Christopher S Murphy submitted the resolution (Res-318) on December 11 which was referred
to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
On December 17, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena said the US is still assessing the evolving political situation mentioning that the current
situation underscores the need for proceeding more urgently to find some way for an election that the people of Bangladesh want and
deserve.
“We’re still assessing the situation. I’m certainly aware of that,” the US envoy told reporters at the Foreign Ministry when his attention
was drawn to 154 MPs being elected unopposed. – UNB
