DHAKA: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the latest wave of deadly violence in Bangladesh ahead of the parliamentary elections.

The concern came from a statement issued by spokesperson of Ban Ki-moon on Thursday.

He said, “He calls on all concerned to respect the rule of law, exercise restraint and to express their views peacefully.”

Ban is hopeful that the recent steps to initiate dialogue will continue, the spokesperson added, and urges all parties to ensure an environment “conducive to credible and peaceful elections”.

The latest outbreak of fighting has reportedly killed at least a dozen people and injured many others.

Earlier this year, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernández-Taranco said the South Asian country was witnessing “a significant increase” in number of violent incidents after more than 30 people died and 60 others were injured in clashes between police and protesters in the capital.

At the time, he called on all stakeholders to work together to create a conducive environment that would allow free, fair, credible, inclusive and non-violent elections to take place.

BDST: 2055 HRS, OCT 31, 2013
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