Diplomatic Correspondent

Three US senators have urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to live up her promises to preserve Bangladesh democracy by stopping the abuse of democratic institutions and to uplift all Bangladeshi voices.

US Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and US Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Peter Welch (D-VT) have said in a statement released after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh won a fourth consecutive term:

“On Sunday despite the peaceful participation of millions of Bangladeshis, the country’s election and pre-election process were marred by violence and trembling government intermediation of opposition candidates. The refusal of the main opposition party to participate was also regrettable. Leading up to the election opposition party members and civil society activists faced harassment and mass arbitrary arrest that undermined the pre-election process.”

“As such we urge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to live up her promises to preserve Bangladesh democracy by stopping the abuse of democratic institutions and to uplift all Bangladeshi voices. We also encourage all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue, commit to nonviolence and hold perpetrators of political violence accountable. In the aftermath of the election, freedom of expression and civic spaces must be protected,” they said in the statement.

The 3 US senators came up with call in support to the United States Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller remarks that the Washington remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day.

The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated.

The United States condemns violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it.