The United States has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for all arrested individuals. It also called on the Bangladesh government to allow opposition members, media professionals and civil society representatives to participate meaningfully in the country’s democratic process and civic life. “We will continue to engage with the Bangladesh government to advance that point of view,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular briefing in Washington on January 30. New USAID-funded disaster shelter and school opens in Cox’s Bazar Though international observers described January 7 election in Bangladesh as “free and fair,” the US State Department spokesperson said they did not find the national polls to be free and fair. The US also expressed concerns over the arrest of political opposition members in the run-up to those elections. Miller said US will continue to engage with the Bangladesh government to advance democratic principles, which are key to ensuring peace and prosperity for all Bangladeshis. US says will continue to take steps to deepen partnership with Bangladesh

The United States has ruled out any perception that it does not recognise Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fourth straight term. At a regular briefing at the US Department of State on January 18, a journalist asked, “So, when you say that the election results in Bangladesh were not credible, free, or fair, does this imply that the US will not recognize Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fourth straight term?”‘ In reply, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “No, no.” US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson Miller said they are now encouraging the government of Bangladesh to credibly and transparently investigate the reports of violence, to hold perpetrators accountable. “We urge all parties to reject political violence,” he said. Miller said the US remains concerned by the arrest of political opposition members and by the reports of irregularities on election day. US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson “We regret that not all parties participated, and we condemn the violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it,” he said. On Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and discussed how the two countries would work together on issues of mutual importance such as climate change, business opportunities and the Rohingya crisis. “I look forward to working closely in the coming months to advance our relations based on mutual interest,” Haas said. Free, fair and peaceful’ election continues to be the focus of US’ engagement with Bangladesh govt: State Dept Spokesperson 

The United States has said it is "closely monitoring" the electoral environment in Bangladesh leading up to January’s national election, and they take incidents of violence "very seriously". At a regular briefing at the US Department of State on Tuesday (October 31, 2023), Spokesperson Matthew Miller said they are engaging and will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people, and to ensure free and fair elections that are conducted in a peaceful manner. All political actors urged by UN rights body to shun violence "We do believe that dialogue is important to achieving those goals," he said. Miller said holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone - all political parties, voters, government, civil society, and the media. BAF delegation visits India’s Dimapur "And what we want in Bangladesh is the same thing the Bangladeshi people want, which are free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner," the US State Department spokesperson said. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said the Election Commission has no option except to hold election on time as per the constitution. “The EC has to hold the election on time, no matter what the situation is,” the CEC told journalists after his meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas. Responding to a question, US State Department Spokesperson Miller said, “Let me just say that we have made clear that we expect the Government of Bangladesh, as we expect every government, to comply with their obligations under the Vienna Conventions for the safe protection of diplomats.” British high commissioner discusses upcoming elections with AL leaders

The United States has condemned the political violence that took place in Dhaka on October 28. During a press briefing on October 30, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “The reported killing of a police officer, a political activist, and the burning of a hospital and buses are unacceptable, as is violence against civilians, including journalists.” Read: US Embassy in Dhaka to limit public services on Sunday Miller said the US encourages the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incidents at the October 28th rally and to hold those responsible for violence accountable. Read: US for country-driven action, looking for innovative solutions to plastic pollution: Ambassador Haas He said the holding of free and fair elections is everyone’s responsibility – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media. Miller said diplomats talk to a wide variety of people – civil society organizations, media professionals, business leaders, cultural contributors, educators, and many other types of organizations and individuals. Read: Ambassador Imran apprises US senators of Bangladesh’s dev journey "That is what diplomats do as part of their everyday job," the US State Department spokesperson added. “We have made clear that we will take actions if necessary to support democracy in Bangladesh, and I would never preview those from the podium,” he said while responding to another question.