US lawmakers express concern over ban on party activities

Five US lawmakers have written to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, urging him to ensure a free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh.

In the letter, they also expressed deep concern over the complete ban imposed on the activities of a political party ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The letter was sent to Dr Yunus on Tuesday (23 December) by US Congress members Gregory W Meeks, Bill Huizenga and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and was also signed by Congress members Julie Johnson and Tom R Suozzi. It has been published on the website of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Without naming any political party or organisation, the US lawmakers said they welcomed Dr Yunus’s decision to step forward and take responsibility for forming an interim government with the aim of holding elections in February next year at a time of national crisis. They stressed that, to ensure a free and fair election and to create an environment in which the people’s will can be peacefully reflected through the ballot, it is essential for the interim government to work with all sides of the political spectrum.

They further said that while they support the administrative role of the interim government during the national crisis, excluding a major political party from the electoral process is inconsistent with fundamental human rights and the principle of individual accountability for criminal acts.

The letter also highlighted the importance of necessary reforms to restore the neutrality and credibility of state institutions. However, the lawmakers warned that these objectives cannot be achieved by suspending the activities of political parties or by reviving a flawed International Crimes Tribunal.