AL’s letter to UN will have no effect: Foreign Adviser

The banned Awami League has urged the United Nations to withdraw its cooperation from an election in Bangladesh that is “not inclusive or credible.” However, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain believes that the Awami League’s letter to the UN will have no impact.

He expressed this opinion while responding to journalists’ questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, November 6, regarding the Awami League’s letter.

“The letter sent by the Awami League to the United Nations will not yield any results,” said the foreign affairs adviser.

On Saturday, a letter addressed to Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Dhaka, called on the UN to withdraw its support for an election that is “neither inclusive nor credible.” The letter was sent by former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel on behalf of the party.

The letter stated, “Until an environment for a free and inclusive election is ensured, we urge the UN and UNDP to suspend electoral assistance, promote national dialogue and consensus among all political parties, and uphold human rights and the rule of law as the foundation of any electoral engagement. We express serious concern over UNDP’s electoral support, the ballot project, and institutional assistance for the upcoming election in Bangladesh, which is neither inclusive nor credible.”

It further mentioned that such involvement risks violating international law, UN principles, and UNDP’s mandate to promote free, fair, and participatory elections.