The US Ambassador in Bangladesh, Dan W Mozena, on Tuesday proposed that the government should provide political space to the opposition party.
The US envoy made the statement through a press release on Tuesday afternoon, immediately after holding a sudden meeting with main opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The press note read: “BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and I discussed the democratic process, the responsibility that the government has to provide political space to the opposition so that it can freely express its political views.
It is the responsibility of the opposition party to use the space peacefully,” it added.
In his statement, Mozena said: “I noted that the incidences on Sunday at the Supreme Court, press club and Dhaka University were most disturbing as they were contrary to the democratic process and must not be allowed to recur.”
He further said: “I reiterated our call for all parties to eschew violence, which is not consistent with the democratic process, is unacceptable and must stop immediately.”
Underscoring the “ever more urgent” need for parties to engage in serious dialogue immediately, he said: “The political parties have to find an agreed way to way forward to free and fair election that are credible in the eyes of the Bangladeshi people.”
He said: “I also noted the US government’s concern at the recent wake of arrest of senior political leaders, given the intimidating effect that this has been on those who wished to peacefully exercise their democratic rights and boast participation, whose participation is critical for the success of future dialogues between the two sides.”
The US envoy paid a visit to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence in the afternoon, immediately after British High Commissioner Robert Gibson met Khaleda at her abode.
The leader of the opposition, Khaleda Zia, has remained "confined" inside her Gulshan residence since Saturday, a day before her party's "March for Democracy" programme.
The number of law enforcers seen at Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence was fewer on Tuesday than on previous days.
