The United States wants to see those responsible for recent rights violations in Bangladesh held accountable.
US Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller made the remarks in response to a question during a regular press briefing yesterday (7 October).
During the briefing, a journalist also asked Miller if the US has communicated with the Bangladeshi authorities to protect the lives of minorities amid concern from neighbouring India regarding the Durga Puja festival set to begin tomorrow.
“Of course we want to see the rights of minorities protected in Bangladesh..” replied Miller.
Mathew was also asked what specific measure will the US take in response to the urgent call from French-based human rights organisation JMBF, regarding the rising incident of mob violence and lynching in Bangladesh, and how will it ensure accountability for human rights violations in Bangladesh in light also of the growing concern surrounding the increasing number of legal cases being filed against innocent individuals?
In response, the US officials said the US secretary of state met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the UN General Assembly in New York two weeks ago and held a discussion regarding the protection of human rights in Bangladesh.
“… [the secretary] made clear that we want to see human rights protected, and that ultimately those responsible for violations of the human rights of the Bangladeshi people over the past few months need to be held accountable,” he said.
