United Nations: The United Nations has called for a peaceful and democratic transition in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid deadly quota protests, media reports said on Tuesday.
The international body has emphasized the importance of adhering to Bangladeshi laws during the transition period.
“We are in touch with authorities in the region, and our country team is in touch with authorities in Bangladesh, and we’ll see where we go with that. But right now, the situation is moving very quickly. We’ll have to see what happens once the dust settles,” said Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq at a regular briefing in New York on Monday.
Haq urged all parties involved to work together to ensure a peaceful transition and called for calm and restraint.
“We urge the security forces to protect those out on the streets of Dhaka and other cities in Bangladesh,” he added.
The UN also emphasized the need for a “full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence” and reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
The United States has also reacted to the situation, with State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stating, “We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully.”
Miller stressed the importance of focusing on the Bangladeshi people’s democratic aspirations and ensuring a path to democratic governance.
According to Dhaka Tribune, the US has urged all parties to refrain from further violence and highlighted the need for continued hospitality towards refugees. For fiscal year 2023, the United States provided over $212 million in bilateral economic, development, and health assistance to Bangladesh, and Miller indicated a desire to see these programs continue.
The UN and US both emphasized the importance of respecting democratic and human rights throughout the transition process.
