The Biden administration has said that an interim government in Bangladesh, which has descended into chaos following the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid violent anti-reservation protests, should be formed in accordance with democratic principles, the rule of law and the will of the Bangladeshi people.
“We want the Bangladeshi people to determine the future of the Bangladeshi government,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily press conference.
Bangladesh descended into chaos as Prime Minister Hasina secretly resigned and fled the country on a military plane, while the military acted to fill the power vacuum by announcing an interim government.
As news of Hasina’s departure spread, hundreds of people stormed her residence, vandalising and looting the interior, in a dramatic manifestation of anti-government protests that have killed more than 300 people in a fortnight.
The embattled Bangladeshi leader later landed at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad as part of her plan to fly to London.
Miller said at a press conference here that the United States is carefully monitoring the situation and calls for an end to the violence and accountability for the deaths that have occurred in the last few weeks.
He said, “All decisions regarding the interim government must be taken keeping in mind democratic principles, the rule of law and the will of the Bangladeshi people.”
“Now, what accountability will be like should be under Bangladeshi law. Obviously, anyone responsible for violence or lawbreaking acts should be held accountable for it,” he said.
Responding to a question, Miller said he was not aware whether former Prime Minister Hasina had sought asylum in the US.
“With regard to the violence and deaths that have occurred over the last few weeks, it is important that we conduct a full and transparent investigation to ensure accountability for these deaths. With regard to the interim government, we think it is important that we focus on the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and a path to democratic governance,” Miller said.
He said the US greatly values its relationship with the people of Bangladesh, “We want to continue that. I just want to urge anyone who has requests or questions about the future to reach out, because we’re not even 12 hours away from the prime minister’s reported resignation.” Miller said the US was carefully monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. “The United States stands with the people of Bangladesh. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. Too many lives have been lost over the last several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead,” he said.
“We welcome the announcement of the interim government and urge that any changes be made in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh. Finally, we are deeply saddened by reports of human rights abuses, casualties and injuries over the weekend and past weeks. We express our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and those who are suffering,” Miller said.
Earlier, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, “We are closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.” The spokesperson said, “The United States has long called for respect for democratic rights in Bangladesh and we urge that the formation of an interim government be democratic and inclusive.”
The NSC spokesperson said the US “appreciates the restraint shown by the military today. We encourage all parties to refrain from further violence and restore calm as soon as possible.”
“We express our deep concern and sadness at the reports of casualties and injuries over the weekend and past weeks, and we offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and those who are suffering.
“It will be important for the new government to conduct careful and credible investigations into all attacks and to provide accountability and justice to the victims,” the spokesperson said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
