22 US senators air deep worry

FE REPORT | Published: August 03, 2024 23:21:47

Twenty-two senators, led by Senator Edward J Markey, and Representatives Jim McGovern and Bill Keating, have urged the US administration to support the cause of the Bangladeshis in the movement.
"Support the right of the Bangladeshi people to a representative democratic government that upholds human rights and respects individual freedoms," they said this in the early hours of Saturday.
In a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, they expressed "alarm at the declining state of democracy and human rights in Bangladesh".
The letter was posted on the website of Senator Markey.
"Bangladesh has been experiencing deadly clashes between student protesters and state security forces across the country in recent weeks, shining light on human rights
abuses taking place under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
The lawmakers write, "The Bangladeshi government has continued to take actions that undermine democratic processes, including by holding deeply flawed elections in January, failing to improve labour regulations, and, most recently, violently cracking down on demonstrations using guns, tear gas, and imposing a near-total shutdown of internet services."
"Given these alarming and continuing trends, we hope that you will lead the US Department of State in upholding the shared democratic principles that have long underpinned the US-Bangladeshi relationship."
They also said, "The United States must condemn all acts of violence, ensure critical civil liberties, such as the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, are protected, and take action to hold complicit government officials accountable for the above abuses against the Bangladeshi people."
"Moreover, in order to prevent the further deterioration of democracy in Bangladesh, the United States must partner with the international community to support the right of the Bangladeshi people to a representative democratic government that upholds human rights and respects individual freedoms."
Other senators, including Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), co-signed the letter in the Senate.
Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-06), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Dan Kildee (MI-08) and Barbara Lee (CA-12), and Delegate James Moylan (GU) co-signed the letter in the House of Representatives.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com