‘Stay peaceful’, Western powers insist on the democratic transfer of power in Bangladesh
Western powers have urged the people of Bangladesh to remain peaceful after Sheikh Hasina left the country. Instead of further cracking down on protesters, the US has praised the military for forming a transitional government.
According to the French news agency AFP, Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who has close ties with India, has benefited from cooperative relations with the West during her 15-year rule but has been criticized for her authoritarian style.
The US has asked all parties in Bangladesh to ‘refrain from further violence’.
Democratic Transfer of Power in Bangladesh
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that “many lives have been lost over the past several weeks, and we call for calm and restraint in the coming days.”
“The US has seen reports that the military has declined pressure to further crackdown on student-led protests,” said Matthew Miller.
“If these (reports) are true that the army resisted calls for a crackdown on the protesters, it will be a positive development,” he said.
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“We welcome the announcement of the interim government and insist on any kind of transfer as per the laws of Bangladesh,” he said.
When asked if the military should choose a new leadership, a US State Department spokesman replied, “We want to see the Bangladeshi people decide the future government of Bangladesh.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a “peaceful, orderly and democratic transition” as well as a “full, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into all acts of violence”.
Britain has called on the United Nations to investigate its leadership.
“The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks,” Foreign Secretary David Lemmy said in a statement.
The European Union also called for “peace and restraint”.
“It is vital that an orderly and peaceful transition to a democratically elected government is ensured by human rights and democratic principles,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
It should be remembered that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday, while Army Chief Waqar-ul-Zaman has said that an interim government will be established.
While holding a press conference, the Army Chief said that the Prime Minister had resigned, and we would form an interim government.
