Govt rejects US report on election

Bangladesh government today rejected United States State Department report that labelled the December 30 parliamentary election “lopsided”.

“The report they published is biased,” said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud while briefing reporters at his ministry office this afternoon.

“They based their report on the accounts of some agencies – the names of which are mentioned in the report,” the minister said.

“We reject this report. In the true essence, the December 30 election was peaceful and participatory – held in a festive atmosphere,” he added.

Reflecting on whether this report will put strain on bilateral relationship, the minister said it is unlikely because “Trump administration congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after her re-election to the parliament”.

Also, on the note of human rights issues addressed in the US report, the minister said: “Human rights in their (US) own soil is under strain”.

“They have 2.3 million people in prison – what is the highest imprisoned population ratio in the world,” he said. “Black people are killed in police action 2.5 times more.”

“We think the US should concentrate more on its own human rights issues,” he added.