USA Bureau

Ranking Member of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) addressed Bangladeshi expatriates in New York, urging unity ahead of the upcoming November 3 elections and emphasizing democratic restoration, media freedom, and human rights in Bangladesh.

The exchange-of-views meeting was held on Monday evening (September 28)  co-organized by the Sector Commanders Forum-Muktijoddha '71 and the Bangabandhu Foundation. Bangabandhu Foundation President Abdul Kader Mia presided over the event, which was moderated by Queens Democratic Party District Leader Dr. Dilip Nath.

Addressing the gathering, Congressman Meeks recalled a joint letter sent last year alongside four other US lawmakers to the interim government, urging conditions for inclusive and fair elections while safeguarding media freedoms and legitimate political activities. He expressed hope that a Democratic majority in Congress following the November 3 midterms would enable him to resume the chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and visit Bangladesh to assess governance and human rights on the ground.

Former Foreign Minister and Bangladesh's former Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, along with former National Press Club President Farida Yasmin, addressed the gathering, raising concerns over political violence, ban on political parties, cases against journalists, and incidents affecting minority communities under the current administration. They called for international oversight to ensure democratic norms, free expression, and the release of detained journalists and political figures.

Bangabandhu Foundation Senior Vice President Engr. Md. Fazlul Haque, Brooklyn Bangladesh Muslim Center President Alhaj Abul Hashem, community leaders Enamul Haque Shamim, Aminul Islam Amin, and Nazrul Islam Babu were present on stage alongside Bangladeshi-American community members and civic organizers.