'US to continue to support free, full, open democracy in Bangladesh'

The United States government had made it clear that it will continue to support free, full, open democracy in Bangladesh. US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said this while responding to a question during a regular press briefing on Wednesday.

The question was: On the occasion of Bangladesh National Day, Secretary Blinken reaffirmed his commitment, strengthening democratic governance and promoting human rights, in his statement. So could you please give us a sense what step the Biden administration may take, considering the country is led by an authoritarian prime minister and people are suffering due to absence of democracy and the rule of law?

In reply, Miller said: "So I don’t have any specific steps to preview with respect to Bangladesh, but we have made clear since the outset of this administration that the promotion of democracy is one of the top priorities for the President, and Secretary Blinken has said it’s of course one of his top priorities."

"So we continue to make clear in our conversations with the Government of Bangladesh – and you of course – you and I engaged on this matter quite a few times in the leadup to the election – that we wanted to see free and fair elections and we will continue to support free, full, open democracy in Bangladesh," he added.