US seeks free and fair elections in Bangladesh

The Trump Administration has urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure free and fair elections in the country in 2018. The United States is working towards building “strong security partnership” with Bangladesh in the wake of the Holey Bakery attack, reports the Bangla Tribune. “As Bangladesh continues to struggle against these threats, we stress the importance of government officials and security forces respecting the rule of law and human rights in countering terrorism to bolster Bangladeshi society’s resistance to radicalisation,” US' Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells told a Congressional Subcommittee in a written statement on Wednesday. “The United States also urges Bangladesh to ensure that its national elections in 2018 are free and fair, and to preserve democratic space for civil society and the press to operate freely,” said Wells, who is also scheduled to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific on “Maintaining US Influence in South Asia: The FY 2018 Budget,” on Thursday. Bangladesh, she said, is a “development success story” and a growing market for US firms that has become an important venue in the fight against transnational terrorism. IS and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) have claimed responsibility for nearly 40 attacks in Bangladesh. “In the wake of IS’ Holey Bakery attack in July 2016, we are advancing our strong security partnership through community policing, anti-money laundering and counter terrorism finance efforts, and military and joint exercises,” Wells said. Despite the country’s security challenges, Bangladesh remains the second largest supplier of apparel worldwide and an important economic partner for US buyers, she said, adding that the US works closely with Bangladesh and its international partners to improve worker rights and safety in this sector. Bangladesh has made important progress on factory building and fire safety, and it is currently considering legislative improvements that would conform its labour laws to international standards. “We continue to strongly advocate for progress in these areas,” she said. Wells said Bangladesh’s economy, which has averaged over 6% growth for more than two decades, has proven remarkably resilient, weathering natural disasters, political unrest, and stiff economic competition from abroad. More women have entered its workforce than ever before, which further fuels the nation’s development. “The World Bank calls Bangladesh a global model in human development and poverty reduction. Its advances in public health have cut infant mortality substantially over the past five years,” Wells said. The country achieved lower-middle income status according to the World Bank’s recent ranking, and is well-positioned to achieve middle-income status in the coming years, she said, adding that it is also beginning to diversify its economy away from apparel and agriculture to light manufacturing. “These are impressive gains, especially in light of the country’s daunting challenges, and its government is rightfully proud of these accomplishments,” Wells said in her written testimony. She also added that US assistance will continue to focus on expanding economic opportunities for Bangladeshis, improving governance, and developing basic education, which will greatly contribute to Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a middle-income country. The foreign assistance request of $138.5 million for Bangladesh utilises resources to counter terrorism and violent extremism, including strengthening law enforcement, the rule of law, and related capacities, she said. FY 2018 resources will be used to improve governance and continue support for civil society organisations. The funding will advance agricultural productivity; broaden access for US businesses; support workforce development for youth and other vulnerable groups; increase food security; and improve nutrition and maternal and child health, Wells said.