Secular Citizens Bangladesh, a social platform comprising prominent citizens, have issued a letter to express discontent and dissatisfaction for the letter sent by United State congressmen to the United Nations expressing concern over violence in Bangladesh by 'the government' against peaceful demonstrators.
“We, the citizens of Bangladesh, condemn your letter dated July 27, 2023. We believe that the letter is based on concoction, made with surmise and made with mala fide intention undeserving of the highest stature of US Congressmen,” said the letter, which was issued on Sunday.
“The practice to interfere with a sovereign state's internal matter is also prohibited under the UN Vienna Convention. The statements made in the letter dated July 27, 2023 are made on the basis of the reports made by one single organization of Bangladesh, i.e. Odhikar, whose NGO registration is revoked for spreading fake news on social media for creating disturbances in the country,” reads the letter.
“This would be too risky to make statements on the basis of a single questionable source. It is stated that Odhikar's report is misleading and riddled with half-truths and dubious statements. We would humbly request you to verify the information in the future.”
“We would kindly draw your attention towards the fact that as soon as the aforesaid letter was made public, the political activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) went rogue and made violent attacks on the law enforcing agency on July 29, 2023, as if the BNP activists wanted to establish the claims made in your letter. We humbly discourage such practices.”
“Your letter not only is triggering violence on the streets affecting the general people of Bangladesh, but also internationally affecting our image as a peaceful, law abiding and secular country.”
“We want to reiterate your government's commitment towards a free and fair election in Bangladesh and would humbly request you to abide by the US Foreign Policy and to stand with the peaceful citizens of Bangladesh,” it added.
Among others, the statement was signed by Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario CSC, Archbishop Bijoy D' Cruze OMI, Bishop Rev Mankin, Rev Martin Adhikary, Bishop Philip Adhikary, Dr Mihir Kumar Roy, Dr Asim Sarkar, Reymond Areng, Dr Suborno Barua, Barrister Proshanta Barua, Bhikkhu Sunandapriya and Barrister Tapas Kanti Baul.
A total of 14 congress members of the United States called for a free and fair election in Bangladesh under the supervision of the United Nations.
They also urged the UN to act immediately to suspend Bangladesh's membership at the United Nations.
