The United States has called upon Bangladesh to respect press freedoms and the rule of law in response to the arrest and prolonged detention of over 30 journalists.
These individuals have been held without hearings or bail for over 60 days, raising concerns over media rights in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday (17 December), US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, "As we made clear to the previous government of Bangladesh, we believe media freedoms ought to be upheld."
Miller further emphasised, "The freedom of the press must be respected, and such cases should be handled in accordance with the rule of law and with respect for the press."
The spokesperson also addressed the escalating conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, highlighting its potential to destabilise the broader region.
He reiterated the United States' commitment to resolving the Rohingya refugee crisis, praising Bangladesh for its extraordinary generosity in hosting those fleeing violence.
"We are following this development closely. We remain concerned by the conflict and its potential to undermine regional stability and security. Helping resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis remains a priority for us," Miller said.
Commending Bangladesh’s efforts, he added, "We will continue to work with Bangladesh to support the Rohingya and members of other vulnerable communities from Burma [Myanmar] who have taken refuge there."
The humanitarian crisis in the region has deepened amid renewed clashes in Rakhine State. The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, now controls over 80% of the state. This volatile situation stems from the 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar, which led to the exodus of approximately 7.5 lakh Rohingyas to Bangladesh.
Since July this year, escalating hostilities between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s Junta have forced an additional 60,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh, further straining resources and intensifying the crisis.
The United States' ongoing engagement with Bangladesh aims to address these pressing issues, with a focus on stabilising the region and supporting vulnerable communities.
