American Department of State Spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the US does not support any one political party in Bangladesh over the other.

Discussing elections does not constitute meddling in domestic matters: US

US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated yesterday that the US does not view its goal for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh as meddling in the nation’s internal affairs, as Russia has claimed.

“I don’t understand why it would bother someone if we demanded free and fair elections. Furthermore, when foreign nations bring up our electoral process with us, we don’t view it as meddling in domestic matters, as I already stated in response to another issue. After Monday’s regular briefing, Miller responded to a query, saying, “We welcome those discussions as an opportunity to strengthen our democracy and we don’t know why any other countries would object.”

American Department of State Spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the US does not support any one political party in Bangladesh over the other.

Additionally, he stated that the US does not favour any one political party in Bangladesh over another.

“We do not support one political party over the other; we support a genuine democratic process,” Miller stated.

“I will point out that Bangladesh’s prime minister has consistently reaffirmed her commitment to free and fair elections. As Bangladesh’s friend and partner for more than 50 years, it’s a desire that we share,” he continued.

He replied, “The undersecretary will travel to Bangladesh from July 11th to the 14th,” in response to a question concerning US Under Secretary Zeya and Assistant Secretary Lu’s visit to Bangladesh. Senior government representatives will meet with her to talk about common humanitarian issues, such as the Rohingya refugee crisis, labour disputes, human rights, free and fair elections, and preventing people trafficking.”

“She will also engage with civil society leaders on freedom of expression and association, human labour rights – inclusive of vulnerable groups – and governance and democracy,” the spokeswoman for the US state department stated.

Recently, Russia declared that letters from US and EU MPs encouraging free and fair elections in Bangladesh were acts of “blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state” and “neocolonialism.”

On July 6, the Russian foreign ministry posted from its verified Twitter handle, “We have taken note of certain European and American politicians publishing letters calling for ‘free and fair’ elections in Bangladesh.”

The statement included the following quotation from Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry: “This is neocolonialism and yet another attempt at blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.”

On May 25, six US Republican lawmakers wrote to US President Joe Biden, urging him to take immediate action to “give the people of Bangladesh the best possible chance for free and fair parliamentary elections” and to end the “human rights abuses” committed by the Bangladeshi government.

Subsequently, on June 12, six European Parliament members wrote to EU High Representative Josep Borrell requesting that he help guarantee free, fair, and impartial general elections in Bangladesh.

Six Democratic lawmakers demanded action to guarantee free and fair parliamentary elections in Bangladesh in a letter to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on June 13.

On May 24, the United States declared that individuals and members of their immediate family would not be allowed to enter the country if they were found to be involved in or responsible for undermining Bangladesh’s democratic election process.