US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has said the purpose of US visa restriction’s purpose was not to take a side, but to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh. 

He made the comments at a regular press briefing held at the US State Department on Tuesday (September 26). 

“I will say, as we have said previously, as we said when the secretary announced this new policy in May, that this – the purpose was not to take – to take a side in an election in Bangladesh, but to ensure or to support free, fair, and peaceful national elections in Bangladesh,” he said.

Matthew Miller said that the visa restriction has been imposed on members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition.

He also noted that the US did not announce the names of individuals on the visa restrictions list because visa records are confidential.

He was also asked to comment on BNP's ultimatum to the government to release the party's Chairperson Khaleda Zia and allow her to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.

"I just don't have any comment on that," he said.

BDST: 1654 HRS, SEP 26, 2023
MN/SMS