A letter highlighting anti-election statements made by central BNP leaders has been sent to US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, by Awami League Central Executive Committee Member Professor MA Arafat.
MA Arafat revealed this matter through a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday evening.
The letter to the US secretary of state, which was uploaded on Arafat's Facebook post, reads: “According to the visa policy that you announced recently (and the letter that you sent to the FM of Bangladesh) where you clearly mentioned, this policy supports Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's stated commitment to hold a free and fair election in Bangladesh and allows the United State to act when Bangladeshi citizen or officials from all political parties undermine this critical pillar of democracy.”
The letter further said: “Here I am attaching some video footages where you can see some of the top BNP leaders making an open declaration to obstruct the upcoming national election in Bangladesh. I hope your visa policy will apply to these people as well.”
US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken on Wednesday announced a new visa policy for Bangladeshi individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process.
The individuals who fall under this policy include current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services, Blinken said in a statement.
The actions to be treated as a disqualification for a US visa include vote rigging, voter intimidation, the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their right to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, and the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views.
