14 US congressmen urge UN to supervise Bangladesh polls

Expressing concern over Bangladesh, 14 members of the US Congress have penned a letter to US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urging three measures including the UN participating in supervising and conducting polls in Bangladesh.

The letter, dated July 27, 2023, was signed by congressmen Bob Good, Scott Perry, Anna Paulina-Luna, Josh Brecheen, Ralph Norman, Andrew Clyde, Eli Crane, Cory Mills, Paul A Gosar, Doug LaMalfa, Ronny L Jackson, Randy Weber, Brian Babin and Glenn Grothman.

The letter reads, "Given its history of election fraud, violence, and intimidation; we are highly skeptical that the Hasina government will permit fair and transparent elections.

"For these reasons, and many other claims of corruption, tyranny, violence, and abuse, we urge the following."

The letter then goes on to list three measures –

·         That the UN act immediately to suspend Bangladesh's membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council, pending an impartial and transparent investigation into the various acts of violence Sheikh Hasina's government has alleged to have committed against journalists and political opponents.

·         That the UN Department of Peace Operations temporarily prevent any member of the Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from deploying to UN peacekeeping operations until full and transparent investigations into their record on human rights abuses have concluded.

·         That the UN, in combination with impartial governments around the world, participate in supervising and conducting free and fair elections in Bangladesh. This should include the provision of peacekeeping forces to prevent intimidation, harassment, or assault of voters.

The letter concludes with, "We stand with the people of Bangladesh who seek free and fair elections, and an end to the violence perpetrated by state authorities."

/KN/