US spokesperson again mentions attempt to draw him into Bangladesh’s internal issues

Spokesperson at the US Department of State Mathew Miller has again mentioned the attempt to draw him into Bangladesh’s internal issues, and reiterated to continue to refrain from doing so.

“So I appreciate the urge – the repeated urge, I should say – to try and draw me into internal Bangladeshi matters, but I am going to continue to refrain from doing so and just state, as I said before, that our goal for the election in Bangladesh is what it has always been: free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner,” he told reporters in a regular media briefing in Washington on Monday.

At a previous media briefing, Mathew Miller pointed out the attempt by some reporters to draw him into internal matters of Bangladesh.

He said the United States will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of Bangladeshis, to ensure “free and fair” elections conducted in a peaceful manner.

 “We do not take a position in favour of one party or the other. We want what the Bangladeshi people themselves want: free and fair elections which are conducted in a peaceful matter,” Mathew Miller.

Miller also said the US Secretary of State outlined how they engage with governments, workers, labor organizations, trade unions, civil society, and the private sector around the world to protect and promote respect for internationally recognised labour rights.

“We will continue to do that in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world,” he said.

“We condemn the recent violence against workers in Bangladesh protesting over the minimum wage, as well as the criminalization of legitimate worker and trade union activities,” Miller said.

He said they are also “concerned” about the ongoing repression of workers and trade unions.

“Our principle, as we have stated before, is that government must ensure that workers are able to exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining without fear of violence, reprisal, or intimidation,” Miller said.

Through their work in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world, the US State Department spokesperson said they are firmly committed to advancing those fundamental human rights.