The United States and Canada still believe that the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP can find a way out to hold a credible election in Bangladesh.
A day after the deadline for filing nominations for the Jan 5 elections, the two countries in separate statements on Tuesday blamed the two parties for the escalating political tensions.
“We believe that with goodwill, the two parties can still find a way to have free, fair and credible elections that the Bangladeshi people want and deserve,” the US embassy said.
It was “more urgent than ever” for both major parties to assign their “trusted lieutenants” to undertake constructive dialogue to try for a breakthrough, according to the statements.
The US says the polls must be credible in ‘the eyes of the people of Bangladesh”.
The Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden said it was still possible to find a “negotiated solution”.
“….if there was political will, to ensure that the upcoming general election is transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful”, the Canadian envoy added.
Their appeal came after the Chief Election Commission’s comment on Monday that the poll schedule can still be reworked if political parties come to a compromise.
The opposition BNP have started a series of strikes and transport blockades rejecting the Jan 5 poll schedule being overseen by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led “all-party” cabinet.
As the movement turned violent, the government cracked down hard, arresting senior Opposition leaders.
The US slammed the political violence, reiterating that “violence is not acceptable and must stop immediately”.
“The senseless violence of past days is especially reprehensible as it intentionally targeted innocent people with bombs and by burning them alive in vehicles”.
“We believe all parties should have space to freely and peacefully express their views.
“The government bears responsibility to provide such space; the opposition parties bear responsibility to use such space in a peaceful manner,” read the US statement.
The Canadian High Commissioner said she was ‘dismayed’ by the continued escalation of violence that killed and injured innocent people.
“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,” she said.
“We continue to urge all parties to end the violence and work toward a peaceful resolution of the current situation,” the high commissioner said citing social and economic impact of the political unrest.
She also condemned the attacks on “religious minorities”. – bdnews24.com
