After the execution of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah in a war crimes case, the United States has termed the current situation in Bangladesh a ‘sensitive moment’, and has urged all the political parties in the country to exercise restraint and refrain from violence. “We are aware that his (Quader Mollah’s) execution took place on Thursday,” Marie Harf, deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, said while replying to a query regarding the execution of Mollah at a regular briefing in Washington on Thursday.
Marie Harf also said the US has long urged the Bangladesh authorities to assure that trials are free, transparent, and in accordance with international standards, but “The US has also urged all parties and their supporters to express their views peacefully, and again, to refrain from violence. That’s really what the US wants to see.”
Meanwhile, India has described the execution of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah as an outcome of the internal judicial processes and laws of Bangladesh.
“The execution of the death sentence on Abdul Qauder Mollah, Assistant Secretary General of the Jamaat-e-Islami, is an outcome of the internal judicial processes and laws of Bangladesh,” said Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, while replying to a question in this regard Friday.
He also clarified New Delhi’s position on Opposition Leader and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s remarks on India. In a statement Thursday, Khaleda Zia called upon India and its people to express solidarity with the feelings and expectation of the majority of people of Bangladesh as the rest of the world community had done.
“We proceed with our relations with Bangladesh on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, non-interference and respect for each other’s sovereignty,” Akbaruddin said in response to questions on Bangladesh.
“Our relations with Bangladesh are broad-based and inclusive. India has always and will always respect the wishes of the people of Bangladesh,” he said, adding, “It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future.”
The spokesperson further said that India was confident that as a democracy the people of Bangladesh would resolve their differences through dialogue and peaceful means.
-With The Independent input
