The US has urged Bangladesh to investigate any reports of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller made the comment at the White House on Monday in response to the question of a journalist over the attack on the independent candidate Hero Alam during Dhaka-17 by-polls held on July 17.

Miller said, "I would say that this type of political violence has no place in democratic elections. We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to investigate any reports of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account. And I would say, as we have said before, that we would expect the Government of Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections, and we continue to monitor it closely."

In reply to another question regarding the attack on Awami League MP Shamim Osman in the US, Miller said "I would just say, again, that that type of violence that you mentioned has no place in democratic elections."

BDST: 1100 HRS, JULY 18, 2023
MSK