Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden on Thursday said the international community would not play the mediator’s role in resolving the political crisis ahead of Bangladesh’s national election billed for January 5. “It’s not the international community to mediate. It’s up to the people of Bangladesh and (political) parties to come to the solution,” she told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmud Ali in the Foreign Ministry. Asked about Canada’s position in case of one-sided election, she said, “I think it’s up to the people of Bangladesh to decide.” The Canadian diplomat referred to her earlier statement and said Canada is dismayed by the continued escalation of violence in Bangladesh which has led to innocent people being killed and injured. She also gave reporters the copy of that statement through which Canada urged all parties to end violence and work towards a peaceful resolution of the current situation, saying that it is still possible for all parties to find a ‘negotiated solution’ to ensure an inclusive, credible and peaceful election in Bangladesh. “It’s still possible for all parties and political organisations to find a negotiated solution, if there’s political will, to ensure that the upcoming general election is transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful,” the statement said. The use of violence by any political party or group is against the shared Bangladeshi and Canadian values of respect for human rights, democracy and pluralism. Neither arrests of political leaders nor strikes are conducive to constructive political dialogue, it said. In her statement, the Canadian high commissioner also said the violence has had disproportionate social and economic effects on the most vulnerable members of Bangladeshi society. “We note with dismay the recent attacks on religious communities. The current instability damages the commercial environment, particularly for small businesses, and may have long-term consequences for the national economy that may not be easily reversed,” she said. In the afternoon, Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander A Nikolaev met Foreign Minister Mahmud Ali at the latter’s office and discussed various bilateral issues. “We’ve discussed the cooperation between two countries in the United Nations…I don’t dare to discuss absolutely internal and domestic affairs (of Bangladesh). – UNB
