In the wake of growing violence and loss of lives, the Unites States, European Union and United Kingdom have urged all the sides to show restraint and engage in “genuine dialogue” to solve the crisis.
Condemning violence across the country centring the recent political developments, separate statements from US, EU and UK today urged the government to ensure freedom of assembly, movement and speech.
They also demanded that the government probe Tuesday night’s gun attack on former foreign secretary Reaz Rahman and try the attackers.
Statement of US Department of State
“There is no justification for such outrageous and cowardly acts in a democratic Bangladesh; we condemn the use of violence for political objectives,” Marie Harf, deputy spokesperson of the US Department of State, said in a press statement.
The US urged all sides to refrain from acts of violence.
“We call on all parties to exercise restraint and eschew violence and intimidation, and we urge the government to ensure people can freely exercise their right to peaceful political expression.”
Harf hoped for a speedy recovery of the BNP chairperson’s adviser Reaz Ahmed .
In another press note, the US embassy in Dhaka said: “We are saddened by reports of deaths and injuries across the country.” It added that US extend its deepest condolences to the families of those who have suffered.
The car of BNP chairperson’s adviser Reaz Rahman in flames near Westin Hotel in the city’s Gulshan area after gunmen attacked him Tuesday night. Photo: Collected
The car of BNP chairperson’s adviser Reaz Rahman in flames near Westin Hotel in the city’s Gulshan area after gunmen attacked him Tuesday night. Photo: Collected
European Union press release
Heads of Mission of the EU resident in Bangladesh regretted the on-going violence and disruption in the country, which has resulted in several deaths, hundreds of casualties and the destruction of property.
The Heads of Mission expressed concerns regarding the current situation while calling on the Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali today.
They also particularly mentioned the attack on former foreign minister Reaz Rahman as well as sabotage in a passenger bus in Rangpur today.
Actions to restore peace and stability should not be at the expense of freedoms of assembly, movement and speech, the delegation added.
They further advocated that refraining from violence and engaging in genuine dialogue between all stakeholders would open the way forward to strengthen democracy.
British High Commission Dhaka
British High Commissioner in Dhaka, Robert Gibson also called upon the government to begin proper probe and bring the perpetrators of these incidents under trial.
The UK have stressed the need for holding talks to avert further repetition of violence and obstructing normal lifestyles and being tolerate to each parties to others.
Gibson also expressed his mourn and concerns over the arson incident at a passenger bus in Rangpur that killed four people this morning.
The statements were issued hours after unidentified people shot Rahman and then torched his car in at the capital’s Gulshan-2 around 8:40pm yesterday.
Two bullets hit the 74-year-old in the left leg and two below his waist, said Fowaz Shuvo, a doctor at United Hospital where he was being treated.
“The bullets did not cause major injuries to his internal organs. We could not remove the bullets yet, but we can say he is out of danger,” he told The Daily Star yesterday after examining the X-ray report.
-Star Online Report
