US and Bangladesh are experiencing a fallout over the issue of holding free and fair elections in the South-Asian country.
The relationship between the two countries is strained as the US believes that the Bangladeshi ruling party Awami League is violating the norms of free and fair elections by not allowing its primary opponent, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to participate.
Another regime-change effort? US sanctions on Myanmar have compounded India's regional challenges. Now, US threatens sanctions against officials of the Bangladeshi government that is battling Islamists. It has already slapped sanctions on Bangladesh's RAB. https://t.co/9TyjjSQXZY
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) June 12, 2023
Overview
Regarding the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, which are to be held in January 2024, the US has expressed concerns about electoral manipulation and misconduct in the polls.
The US has said that, as part of its push for democratic practices in different countries aided and supported by it, there is a need to adhere to free elections, and Bangladesh is far away from this.
The denial of permission to BNP leader Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment and the opposition’s strong-hand tactics in implementing policies are some reasons behind the US concerns.
Recently, the US threatened visa restrictions for Bangladeshis involved in undermining the democratic election process. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US supported “free, fair and peaceful elections in the country.” In response to this, the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said that the government was taking necessary measures to prevent any unlawful interference in the conduct of elections.
Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly criticised the US comments on the situation in Bangladesh. Accusing the US of not practising democratic norms in countries on the other side of the Atlantic, Hasina said, “They [The US] are trying to eliminate democracy and introduce a government that will not have a democratic existence. It’ll be an undemocratic action.”
The actions of the US are being perceived as an attempt towards regime change in Bangladesh. The increasing interest of the US to have a favourable government in Bangladesh is being seen as a move to exercise influence in the region close to Washington’s mammoth rival Beijing.
UN Should Enhance Screening of Bangladesh Peacekeepers https://t.co/NTyVsnZ87L
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) June 12, 2023
Human Rights Watch Expresses Concerns
There have been multiple reports of increasing repression by Bangladesh authorities and attacks by the ruling party as the country prepares for next year’s elections.
International NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised concerns about the crackdown on the country’s political opposition, targeting of activists, and forced disappearances and harassment of Rohingya refugees.
HRW urged the UN Under-Secretary-General Jean Pierre Lacroix to raise his voice against the abuse by government security forces during his upcoming visit to Bangladesh.
The organisation also urged the UN to ensure that Bangladeshi forces employed as peacekeeping forces undergo rigorous screening so that the people involved in human rights violations are not deployed with UN missions.