AMN
Following the announcement of the new visa policy on Wednesday which seeks to put visa restrictions on people trying to undermine a democratic election in Bangladesh, US Ambassador Peter Haas met with the representatives of the ruling Awami League, opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party (JP) in Dhaka on Thursday. Confirming the meeting, the US embassy in a tweet said that the US supports free and fair elections. The new visa policy aims to restrict visas to those who undermine the democratic process and it applies to everyone.
Welcoming the new visa policy of the US, opposition BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury called it a major stride towards holding a free and fair election in Bangladesh. He said the new US policy reflects the concerns ahead of the elections. Amir Khasru said that it will play a constructive role in the forthcoming general elections.
Jatiya Party leader Mujibul Haque said that the new US visa policy indicates that the US wants a fair election in Bangladesh which his party also supports.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen called the new visa policy of the US ‘supportive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment for credible elections.’ He said that the policy is not creating any pressure on the government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said that Bangladesh would like to view this announcement in the broader context of its government’s unequivocal commitment to holding free and fair elections at all levels for upholding the country’s democratic process. Attributing the economic development of Bangladesh to the rule of Awami League over the last 14 years, MoFA said the government attaches importance to freedom of assembly and
association for all peaceful and legitimate democratic processes.