EU, 12 more countries issue joint statement

The European Union along with 12 other countries has issued a joint statement denouncing the violent assault on independent candidate Ashraful Alam alias Hero Alam during the voting in the Dhaka-17 constituency by-election on Monday.

The statement was published on the official website of the US Embassy in Dhaka. It reads, "We condemn the July 17 attack on Dhaka-17 constituency candidate Ashraful Alam, popularly known as Hero Alam.

"Violence has no place in the democratic process.  We call for a full investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.

Everyone involved in the upcoming elections should ensure that they are free, fair, and peaceful."

The statement was signed by the embassies or high commissions of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and, the United States.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International, the United States and the United Nations also expressed concern over the attack on Hero Alam.

/KN/MHK/