US Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat stressed on the need for a constructive dialogue among the political parties in the country for a more representative government.
“The parliamentary elections of January 5 were undeniably flawed, and Bangladesh’s main political parties urgently need to engage in constructive dialogue that leads to a more representative government,” Bernicat told before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The US Embassy in Dhaka released the text of her statement given before the committee yesterday.
Bernicat said as the world’s eighth-largest country by population and third-largest Muslim-majority nation, Bangladesh is known for its moderate, secular, pluralistic traditions.
“With an annual economic growth rate of roughly 6% each year, Bangladesh aspires to become a middle-income country and is an increasingly important trading partner and destination for US investment. It is strategically situated between a growing India and a newly opening Burma, and therefore is well-positioned to play a key role in linking South and Southeast Asia.”
Bernicat said labour rights and workplace safety in Bangladesh remained a top priority for the US.
She also said: “We remain gravely concerned about attacks on religious and ethnic minorities, political violence and extrajudicial killings allegedly committed by security forces. If confirmed, I will work hard to support efforts to promote accountability and strengthen human rights and democracy in Bangladesh.”
The diplomat said she would work with the government, civil society and the Bangladeshis people to ensure an environment that encourages the broadest and fairest participation.
“I will, if confirmed, passionately advocate policies that enshrine peaceful democratic values, including respect for human rights and diversity, room for civil society to flourish, space for the free and peaceful discussion of political differences unmarred by violence, and adherence to the rule of law by an independent judiciary.”
Regarding the trial of war criminals, Bernicat siad: “The United States supports bringing to justice those who committed atrocities in the 1971 war, but those trials should be fair and transparent, and in accordance with international standards. We will also continue to support the right of impressive Bangladeshi civil society organisations to operate independently and to express their views openly, recognising that such institutions play an important role in any flourishing democracy.”
About the Grameen Bank, Bernicat said: “We also encourage the government to ensure the continued effectiveness of Grameen Bank and protect its unique governance structure.”
