The international community, with one notable exception, has roundly criticised last Sunday’s election and continued calling for political dialogue shunning violence to have a truly participatory election in the future.
Most countries condemned the election-centred killings and violence but encouraged all parties to reach an agreement soon and mentioned that a mutually agreed way forward will allow the next election to be truly participatory, with an outcome that all Bangladeshis will see as credible.
Considering Bangladesh as their important development partner, they suggested all the political parties in Bangladesh act in line with the interests of the people of the country, doing their best to keep the economy unhurt through ensuring political stability.
They also advised the political parties to look beyond their immediate political concerns and work cooperatively to focus nationally on Bangladesh’s development and its bright future.
As of Thursday night, the United Nations (UN), India, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Japan, German, Australia, France, Korea and the Commonwealth, a body of 53 independent countries that were once part of the British empire, have so far issued statements commenting on the Bangladesh elections.
China has expressed its hope that political parties in Bangladesh can realize political stability through talks and negotiation after its parliamentary election.
“We noted that Bangladesh’s parliamentary election had been completed on January 5. As a friendly neighbor of Bangladesh, China is concerned about the country’s national situation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a press briefing on Thursday.
The voting took place on Sunday but was plagued by widespread violence and an opposition boycott over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s refusal to listen to demands to step down and appoint a neutral caretaker to oversee the election, reports Xinhua from Beijing.
China hopes political forces in Bangladesh can give priority to national long-term and fundamental interests, and hold talks and consultation in efforts to realise political and social stability, as well as economic development.
In a statement issued on Thursday night, Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Lee Yun-young favored inclusive political process where the will and aspirations of the Bangladeshi people can be duly reflected.
“As a long-standing friend of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, we hope that through an inclusive political process where the will and aspirations of the Bangladeshi people can be duly reflected, Bangladesh will overcome the current situation and restore peace and stability as early as possible,” said the diplomat commenting on the 10th parliament election in Bangladesh
He expressed concern over the election-centred violence. “We’re deeply concerned over the violence which has happened surrounding the election held on January 5.”
However, the European Union, a powerful bloc of 28 countries, is taking longer than others in issuing the statement because all 28 member states are needed to be consulted to that end.
“We take the note of the election that was held on January 5. We are, of course, following the situation through our delegation and embassies of the member states in Dhaka,” said Michael Mann, the chief spokesperson to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton.
Mann came up with the comment at a press conference in Brussels when enquired about the EU’s stance on the Bangladesh polls boycotted opposition BNP.
“We, of course, strongly condemn the acts of violence which have occurred both in the run-up to the election and during the election and losses of lives we have seen,” he said.
“As you’re aware that the main opposition party declined to take part in the election and as a result there was no polling in certain constituencies. Even, turnout was rather low in the constituencies where the polling was held,” said the spokesperson.
“We’re calling on the political parties to refrain from violence and to renew their efforts to find a political way forward through dialogue,” he said.
He also informed that the EU would issue a formal statement later in this regard.
Source: UNB Connect
