US Embassy
Laubacher's visit underscores US commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh: US Embassy
National Security Council’s Senior Director for South Asia Eileen Laubacher's just concluded visit underscored the United States’ "continued commitment to strengthening" the Bangladesh-US bilateral relationship, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
During her four-day visit, Laubacher and other NSC representatives visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.
Read more: US is largest source of investment in Bangladesh, other Indo-Pacific countries: Embassy
US is largest source of investment in Bangladesh, other Indo-Pacific countries: Embassy
United States is the largest source of foreign direct investment in the Indo-Pacific region, nearing $1 trillion as of 2021, and the largest source in Bangladesh, with over $4.3 billion invested and counting, said the US Embassy in Dhaka.
The fifth Indo-Pacific Business Forum will be held virtually on January 12 which will encourage people to engage with Indo-Pacific and U.S. businesses.
Read more: Bangladesh maintaining good relations with both US, China but it’s challenging: Momen
Together with its co-host, the government of Japan, the US will underscore their shared commitment to the region and highlight the economic ties that have contributed to Indo-Pacific prosperity and interconnectedness, said the Embassy.
The governments of the United States of America and Japan will welcome senior government officials, industry executives and other stakeholders to the 5th Indo-Pacific Business Forum.
Read more: We support calls for “thorough, transparent investigation” over Bangladeshi-American student's death: US Embassy
Hosted and sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the U.S. Department of State and in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) is the premier public-private U.S. government event to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation between the United States and its partners throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
The event in Tokyo, Japan, will be complemented with robust virtual components for participants based in the United States, other Indo-Pacific countries, and around the world.
We support calls for “thorough, transparent investigation” over Bangladeshi-American student's death: US Embassy
The US Embassy in Dhaka has extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of Bangladeshi-American student of University of Massachusetts, Sayed Faisal.
US Embassy Spokesperson Jeff Ridenour released a statement in this regard today.
He said they support “calls for a thorough and transparent investigation” by the District Attorney’s Office.
Earlier, a human chain was formed in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, demanding justice for the "killing" of Sayed Faisal.
Also Read: Killing of Bangladeshi-American in US: Human chain in front of MoFA demands justice
The protest took place when US National Security Council’s Senior Director for South Asia Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher is visiting Bangladesh. She had a scheduled meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at state guesthouse Padma this afternoon.
The protestors at the human chain shouted: “We want justice.
A Cambridge Police officer shot and killed an allegedly armed Faisal on Wednesday, prompting dozens to protest police brutality and call for transparency at Cambridge City Hall on Thursday.
Journalist and columnist Ajoy Dasgupta described the incident as “very unfortunate” and said that the US police shot dead the Bangladeshi who was not found guilty of any crime.
“We want justice for him,” he said.
US Embassy greets Bangladesh for inaugurating the country's first-ever Metro Rail
The US Embassy in Dhaka has congratulated Bangladesh for inaugurating the country's first-ever Metro Rail in Dhaka.
"We want to give a special shoutout to the six female metro train operators, including Maryam Afiza," said the Embassy sharing photos of Metro Rail and Afiza from its verified Facebook page on Wednesday.
Read more: Metro rail is pride of Bangladesh: PM Hasina
The country’s commuting system entered a new era Today (Wednesday) as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first ever metro rail service in the capital.
She inaugurated the operation of the first phase of the project-- Uttara to Agargaon--at 11:00 am from Uttara sector-15 playground.
Read more: Mariam Afiza to operate metro rail on first day
As the government is starting the operation on a limited scale, it will take 20 minutes to travel the 11.73-Km distance from Uttara to Agargaon, but soon it will come down to 16-17 minutes.
Bangladesh is the third country in South Asian region to have metro rail after India and Pakistan. India introduced its first 3.4km underground metro rail in Kolkata in 1984 while Pakistan launched its mostly-elevated metro line in Lahore in October, 2020.
Human rights are at the center of US foreign policy: US Embassy
The US Embassy in Dhaka has said they take “seriously” all allegations of human rights violations and regularly meets with a wide variety of human rights organizations.
“The US Embassy had not received any prior communication from Mayer Kanna over the last several years,” said a US Embassy spokesperson on Sunday in light of various articles and statements surrounding Ambassador Haas's meeting with Mayer Dak on December 14.
Providing more information to the media in an email, the spokesperson said human rights are at the “center” of US foreign policy.
The US Ambassador ended his “prescheduled” meeting with “Mayer Dak” on December 14 due to “security concerns”.
Read more: US ambassador didn’t go to the memorial on Martyred Intellectuals’ Day, he went somewhere else: Quader
“The meeting was interrupted by protestors, who attempted to enter the building where the Ambassador was located. Other protestors surrounded the Ambassador’s vehicle,” said the spokesperson.
He said they have raised this matter at the “highest levels” of the Bangladesh government, as well as with the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said there had been no lack of security when US Ambassador Peter Haas visited Dhaka's Shaheenbagh area recently.
While talking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said police personnel rushed to the spot immediately.
Read more: US ambassador voices concern over DSA in Bangladesh
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said the situation that US Ambassador Peter Haas faced could not be seen as a "security threat".
“There is no scope to see it as a security threat,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday evening, noting that the incident will have no impact on Dhaka-Washington relations.
Anti-Corruption Award: US Embassy in Dhaka congratulates journalist Rozina Islam
The US Embassy in Dhaka has congratulated this year’s Anti-Corruption Champion Award winner from Bangladesh journalist Rozina Islam.
The US Secretary of State announced Anti-Corruption Champions from eight countries who are "changing the world" for the better through their work to fight for transparency and accountability.
"On International Anti-Corruption Day, we recognize these champions who are members of government, the press, civil society, and the judiciary."
Read more: ARTICLE 19 greets journalist Rozina Islam
The US State Department recognized eight honorees from around the world, highlighting the United States’ efforts to promote anti-corruption reform.
The ACCA recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership, courage, and impact in preventing, exposing, and combatting corruption.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken launched the ACCA in February 2021 to demonstrate the Biden Administration’s commitment to combating corruption.
Read more: Journalists demand unconditional release of Rozina Islam
Due to previous COVID-19 restrictions, this will be the first award ceremony hosted in-person.
US concerned about reports of intimidation, political violence in Dhaka
The US Embassy in Dhaka has expressed its concern about reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka and call on everyone to respect the rule of law.
"We are concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka and call on everyone to respect the rule of law and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation," US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said in a message through verified Facebook page of the Embassy on Thursday.
Read more: 1 killed in police-BNP clash at Nayapaltan; Over 150 leaders, activists held
He said they encourage government authorities to investigate these reports of violence and to protect the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The US Embassy also extended its condolences to the families of those killed and injured yesterday in Dhaka.
US Embassy issues alert for its citizens in Bangladesh
The US Embassy in Bangladesh on Wednesday issued an alert for its citizens living here asking them to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.
“U.S. citizens should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Review personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates,“ it said in a statement.
The next general election in Bangladesh is anticipated to be held before or during January 2024, and political party rallies and other election-related activities have already commenced, it added.
Read more: US Trade Show in Dhaka to demonstrate “commitment to support Bangladesh”
“Political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity as the general election draws nearer. Two of Bangladesh’s largest political parties have announced rallies in different areas of Dhaka for December 10, 2022, “ said the statement.
“We celebrate the power of young minds to design the next 50 years”
Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka Helen LaFave on Wednesday hosted a graduation ceremony of 50 Dhaka-based students of the English Access Microscholarship Program.
The Language Proficiency Center administered the program. LaFave praised the 25 young women and 25 young men from local madrasas and public schools for their hard work in completing the two-year course during the pandemic.
Read more: US Embassy’s University Fair on Sep 23: Bangladeshi students can talk to admission officials
“This year, we are celebrating 50 years of friendship between the United States and Bangladesh and we celebrate the power of young minds to design the next 50 years. You can take your new skills and use them as leaders who will shape the future of Bangladesh,” LaFave said.
US Official: Free, fair elections “must include a level playing field for all”
Free and fair elections in Bangladesh “must include a level playing field” for all participants, including political parties, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday on conclusion of US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter’s two-day visit here.
The US official and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas met with representatives of Bangladesh's three major political parties – Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jatiya Party.
Before leaving Dhaka, Afreen Akhter had a breakfast meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at a city hotel on Monday.
“Absolutely, there is trust and respect for each other,” she said referring to her meeting with political leaders.
Read more: Working closely with civil society for fair elections: Visiting US official
She highlighted the cooperation between Bangladesh and the US in a whole range of areas including health, climate and economic cooperation.
Talking to reporters, Foreign Secretary Masud said they talked about a number of issues and it was “not an election-centric” discussion.
"Our USAID mission is working very closely with the civil society actors across Bangladesh to support their efforts to provide free and fair elections in Bangladesh,” Akhter told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Read more: Govt to support Election Commission in holding fair election: Law Minister
During her meeting with Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam, the US official discussed maritime security and how they can cooperate with Bangladesh and other forms of maritime cooperation in the region during the meeting.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) for Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, as well the Office of Security and Transnational Affairs most recently served as a Senior Adviser to SCA Assistant Secretary Don Lu.
Previously, Akhter was the National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser to U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.