The United States has said it supports bringing to justice those who commit atrocities through fair and transparent trials maintaining the international standards.“We believe that any such trials must be free, fair, and transparent in accordance with international standards that Bangladesh has agreed to uphold through its ratification of international agreements, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Patrick Ventrell, Acting Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department said in its regular briefing on Thursday in Washington.
The response came following a question on death sentence awarded to the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Kamaruzzaman, for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
Patrick Ventrell said the US looks to the government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all of its citizens and encourage all Bangladeshis to peacefully express their views, given some of the disturbances. “And while engaging in peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, we firmly believe violence is never the answer.”
Responding to a question whether the US believes that this particular trial was fair and transparent and meets US standards, Patrick Ventrell said, “Again, I don’t think I’m in a position to address each and every individual trial, but that’s the broad frame that we’re making very clear to the Bangladeshis.”
He said the people who are expressing their views should do so in a peaceful manner and they encourage a free and transparent process.
While responding to another question on the updates of Savar building collapse and recent fire incidents, Patrick Ventrell said he does not have an update on the fire overnight, although he has seen the news reports and they are very clear what a tragic situation it was with the building and so many lost.
“So we continue to engage at the Assistant Secretary level, at the ambassadorial level, not only with American buyers in the country, but with – directly with the Government of Bangladesh. So this is something we’ve placed a priority on and will continue to do.” UNB
