Dhaka-Washington Partnership Dialogue begins here May 26
“Violence simply isn’t acceptable,” the envoy told reporters at the Foreign Ministry in the evening while making comments on the ongoing violence after a lengthy meeting with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque.
Mozena said Bangladesh is a democratic country and democratic processes do not allow violence. “Everyone has a right to express his views but you don’t have a right to commit violent acts.”
Reiterating his call for the political parties for talks to resolve crisis, the US envoy said, “Time is now to find a way forward to a free, fair and credible election.”
On the outcome of the meeting with Foreign Secretary, Mozena said he had a very good meeting with the Foreign Secretary. “We talked a lot about the upcoming US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue.”
The two-day dialogue will be held in Dhaka from May 26, Mozena said adding that US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman is coming here to attend the Dialogue.
Wendy Sherman will lead the US delegation while Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque Bangladesh side to the dialogue.
“There’ll be a working session on the first day, and the second day there’ll be a plenary overview session,” Mozena said adding that it will be the second such dialogue.
Mozena also said he had a meeting with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders on the present situation in the readymade garment sector. “It’s another moment of transformation in the RMG sector.”
The US envoy said that all that are happening together are creating an environment that offers an opportunity to transform again the readymade garment sector to make it most appealing in the world.
The transformation, according to Mozena, consists of three elements. “Number one element is recognition of workers right to free associate and organise.”
He said the second element would be through the BGMEA – effective change in workplace safety and fire safety. “BGMEA is keen to make the change. I just met them earlier today. What BGMEA is doing is really impressive.”
Mozena also mentioned structural soundness of factories and penalty for those who do not abide by the minimum fire safety and workplace safety standard as element of transformation in the RMG sector.
He said the implementation of actions and plans taken with the support of ILO will help Bangladesh to be number one RMG exporting country in the world.
In the face of abject acts of violence of the law enforcement agencies against opposition activism recent statements of US Ambassador demonstrate a blatant anti-opposition pro-government bias.- one wonders why.