The United States has called for ensuring political space to enable all parties in Bangladesh to express their views freely and peacefully. “There must be political space so all parties can express their views freely and peacefully. This is an essential element of democracy,” Kelly McCarthy, the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Dhaka, said on Saturday when comments were sought about the arrests of some BNP leaders on Friday night.
“Events of the past days and hours underscore the urgency of finding a way forward to free, fair and credible elections. Now more than ever as elections quickly approach, the major parties must engage in constructive dialogue to find a way forward to free, fair and credible elections,” she said.
“We call on all parties to eschew violence. Violence of any nature is not part of the democratic process and is not acceptable,” she added.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Dhaka Robert W Gibson has expressed his disappointment at the continued confrontational action rather than dialogue between the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP. “I am disappointed that we have seen continued confrontational action rather than constructive dialogue between the two main parties that could result in the outcome desired by most ordinary Bangladeshis” he said.
-With The Independent input
