The United States on Wednesday welcomed plans by Bangladesh’s interim government to hold elections, following the student-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina, the country’s long-serving leader.
“We welcome steps that have been taken by this interim government of Bangladesh to prepare for elections that ultimately will allow the Bangladeshi people to choose their own government representatives,” said Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the State Department, during a press briefing on Wednesday (18 December).
Patel underscored the importance of adherence to democratic principles, urging respect for the rule of law throughout the transition process.
Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate renowned for pioneering microfinance, currently heads the interim administration. Yunus announced earlier this week that general elections would be scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026.
Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister who fled to neighbouring India in August, has faced widespread criticism for alleged authoritarianism during her tenure.
Accusations against her include engineering heavily skewed elections and overseeing extrajudicial killings and detentions.
The United States voiced particular concern about a recent preliminary inquiry that implicated Hasina and other former officials in mass enforced disappearances.
Patel stated that Washington was “deeply troubled” by the findings.
“We welcome efforts by the interim government to investigate these crimes and encourage fair and transparent processes to provide justice for the victims and their family members,” Patel said, expressing optimism about the caretaker government’s initiatives.
In addition, the United States has raised alarms about recent attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community following Hasina’s ouster.
Hasina, an opponent of Islamist factions, was closely aligned with India, the regional powerhouse.
As Bangladesh navigates a tumultuous political transition, Washington has reiterated its support for democratic reforms and justice for those affected by past human rights violations.
