International Outcry Grows: UN and US Slam Bangladesh Election for Violence and Bias

A day after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League secured victory in the parliamentary elections held on January 7, the United States and the United Nations have voiced their concerns over reported violence and irregularities during the electoral process.

The US State Department issued a press statement on Monday, expressing deep concern over the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and citing reports of irregularities on the day of the elections. The statement emphasized that the United States, along with other observers, believed that the elections were neither free nor fair, regretting the absence of participation by all political parties.

While acknowledging the majority win by Prime Minister Hasina’s party, the State Department condemned the violence that occurred both on the election day and in the months leading up to it. The US urged the Government of Bangladesh to conduct a credible investigation into the reported violence and to hold those responsible accountable. Additionally, all political parties were called upon to reject violence.

The statement reiterated the United States’ support for the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression. Looking ahead, the US committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, supporting human rights and civil society, and deepening people-to-people and economic ties.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk echoed similar concerns, calling on Bangladesh’s newly elected government to take concrete steps to renew the country’s commitment to democracy and human rights. Türk expressed distress over the environment leading up to the elections, which was marked by violence and the repression of opposition candidates and supporters.

Türk pointed out that in the months preceding the vote, thousands of opposition supporters had been arbitrarily detained or subjected to intimidation, labeling such tactics as detrimental to a truly genuine democratic process. He emphasized that democracy in Bangladesh was hard-won and should not become cosmetic, urging the government to address the challenges and uphold the principles of democracy and human rights.

As international scrutiny intensifies, the focus remains on Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing the reported irregularities and violence, ensuring accountability, and fostering a democratic environment that respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens.