Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, State Department correspondent
The United States has called for a democratic transition in Bangladesh, emphasizing that all decisions regarding the interim government should respect democratic principles, the rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people. This statement came from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday, in response to queries about the situation in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass uprisings.
During a briefing at the State Department, Miller told reporters, “Turning to Bangladesh, we have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Hasina resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully.”
Miller expressed the United States' support for the people of Bangladesh and urged all parties to refrain from further violence, noting, “Too many lives have been lost over the course of the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead.”
“We welcome the announcement of an interim government and urge any transition to be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws,” Miller added.
He further expressed deep sorrow over reports of human rights abuses, casualties, and injuries over the weekend and in the past weeks, stating, “We share our deepest condolences with those who lost loved ones and those who are suffering.”
State Department correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey highlighted the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, noting that "Bangladesh is free at the cost of hundreds of lives under the shoot-on-sight order by autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But the situation is still unclear. Students, leaders, opposition parties, and the army are trying to form a civilian government.” He inquired about the US position regarding the crisis.
Miller responded, “So as I said, a few things. Number one, our condolences of course go out to those who have been hurt in the violence over the past few weeks. We are focused now on supporting an end to the violence and for accountability. All decisions regarding the interim government should be made with respect to democratic principles, rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people.”
Ansarey also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina had fled to India and was seeking asylum in a Western country, asking if the US would grant her shelter.
The State Department spokesperson said he was not aware of any such request.
MR/
