US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said that they are prepared to extend support to the declared goal of a “free, fair and peaceful” election in Bangladesh. He said USA’s goal is not to interfere in the election but to support the goal that allows people to freely choose who they want to run the country. “We speak out frequently in support of the goal,” said Ambassador Haas. Also read: UNHCR welcomes S Korea’s contribution of USD 1 million for Rohingyas in Bangladesh The US ambassador also said it is the collective responsibility of the entire world to make sure that conditions are in place in Myanmar so that the Rohingyas can return to their homeland with dignity. “They need to be protected, educated, and they need to enjoy dignity where they are living,” he said while attending an event as a keynote speaker. The US ambassador said the Rohingyas should not be punished for the action taken by Myanmar and they should be treated well without any discrimination towards them. Ambassador Haas laid emphasis on constant collective pressure on Myanmar, noting that the solution to the crisis unfortunately is not so easy. He said they are also exploring the option of resettlement, but it offers very limited opportunity as it is meant for only the most vulnerable people. Also read: Thailand provides  assistance to support WFP’s food aid for Rohingyas in Bangladesh The ambassador also highlighted the importance of holding people responsible for the genocide. He appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity in providing shelter to the Rohingyas; otherwise, he thinks the situation would have been far worse. On the occasion of International Day of Peace, the US ambassador said: “The essence of International Peace Day is to remind us of the critical role of peace in addressing global challenges.” Chaired by Professor Atiqul Islam, NSU’s Vice-Chancellor, the session, held at NSU’s main auditorium, experienced the full-capacity of 1200 audience comprised of students, faculties and officials of NSU. Welcoming all, Javed Muneer Ahmad, Chairman, NSU Board of Trustees, said that peace is the most precious resource now in a conflict-ridden world. Dr. Abdul Wohab, Coordinator, Center for Peace Studies (CPS) made opening remarks, highlighting CPS’s role in promoting peace, sustainability, and diplomacy through research, dialogue, and community engagement. Also read: UK to push for long-term solution to Rohingya crisis 

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday (April 16, 2023) said complaining to foreigners will bring no benefits to BNP and suggested that the opposition party reach out to voters at the grassroots and listen to them. “These are very unfortunate. They should go to voters at the grassroots level. Foreigners will not cast votes, rather the people of Bangladesh will do that,” he said when a reporter drew his attention to a BNP delegation meeting US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Sunday. Momen referred to his recent visit to his constituency in Sylhet and said political leaders' efforts should be focused on people’s welfare. “If you discuss with grassroots voters, you will understand what can be done for further development,” he said. Also Read: 3-member BNP delegation meets US envoy Responding to a question, Momen said the US wants “free and fair elections” and they (AL) want the same. “There is no difference in opinion (on the election issue).” He said the US wants to strengthen its relations with Bangladesh and the US ambassador is an expert on trade and investment issues. “We hope efforts on trade development will be expedited and the ambassador will emphasize on it.” Regarding his recent meeting with the US Secretary of State, Momen said the Bangladesh side answered the questions that the US had including a question on the Digital Security Act (DSA). Bangladesh is examining the issue as in some areas application of the DSA might not be done correctly. “We are examining it. If there is any weakness, we will take care of it,” said the foreign minister. Also Read: US urged to create “safe protection zone” in Myanmar to facilitate Rohingya repatriation Momen said the US is “pretty happy” with Bangladesh’s response as both sides want to avoid unnecessary harassment. He said Bangladesh fought for establishing democracy, justice, freedom of press and religion and Bangladesh which gave blood does not need to take any lesson from others. “We told them our story and shared our position.” Bangladesh has conveyed to the USA that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is not meant for restricting the freedom of press, noting that the government believes in freedom of press. “We said we enacted the Digital Security Act, but it is not to curb the freedom of press. Awami League believes in freedom of press,” Momen told the US side during his meeting with Blinken in Washington DC. Also Read: Digital Security Act not for restricting media freedom, Momen tells US Momen mentioned the presence of a huge number of newspapers and private television channels in Bangladesh which he described as “hyperactive”. At the meeting, Blinken expressed concerns about “violence against and intimidation of the media and civil society,” including under the Digital Security Act, according to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.  Asked whether the government feels any pressure amid repeated calls for holding free and fair elections in Bangladesh, Momen said, “We are very happy.” “No pressure. We want free and fair elections. It’s our own commitment.” Read More: Investigate if BNP-Jamaat are behind recent fire incidents to cripple economy: PM Hasina asks authorities  Since holding free and fair elections is a government’s commitment, Momen said, the repeated calls from the US helped them make their commitment afresh. He said the government and the Election Commission alone cannot ensure a free and fair election but it requires sincerity and commitment from all political parties. Momen said the government encouraged the US side to send election observers as many as they want. “We are open to observers.” “Of course, we’re looking – the world is looking – to Bangladesh for its next election, to make sure that they set a strong example of free and fair election for the region and for the world,” Secretary Blinken said during his meeting with Momen on April 10. Read More: The entire world with Bangladesh for credible polls, human rights, press freedom: BNP  “I agree with Secretary Blinken. I am so happy that he also wants a model election which can be portrayed in the rest of the world. I want this, too and we seek support from all,” Momen said earlier.

Russia has said the December 14 incident is an “expected result” of the activity of the American ambassador, who — under the pretext of caring about the rights of the citizens of Bangladesh — was “persistently trying to influence” the domestic processes in the country.  “As of late, his colleagues from the British and German diplomatic missions have been engaged in the same cause and have allowed themselves to openly give recommendations to the local authorities regarding transparency and inclusiveness in the parliamentary elections scheduled for next year,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in Moscow. Russia said they believe that such actions that “violate” the basic principles of non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states are “unacceptable”. Read more: US Embassy Dhaka wants to know if Russian 'principle of non-interference' applies in Ukraine The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson said they have noted the widely publicized incident involving the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, whose security was “allegedly threatened” by activists from a local public organization when he went to meet with the family of a supporter of an opposition political party on December 14, 2022 in Dhaka.  In 2013, the opposition party supporter went missing, the Russian spokesperson said. “If anybody wants to ask: How about the terms ‘diplomat, immunity, embassy, security’? We always urge these things in accordance with international law and the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations,” she said.  “We urge the US, the United Kingdom and other countries to care about and comment not only on cases of their own security, but also to support their colleagues when the countries and their representatives, including at international organizations, raise questions about the security of their embassies and consular facilities,” Zakharova added. “They do not care about this. At best, they remain silent and at worst, they justify those who do this. When international terrorists committed a series of attacks against our embassy in Syria, we urged the Americans to respond to this through the UN Security Council,” she said. Read more: Russia committed to ‘not interfering in the domestic affairs’ of Bangladesh: Embassy statement She said, “Everything was obvious. There can be no political justification for an unwillingness to publicly take a stand and use the common voice of the Security Council.” The spokesperson said Washington did not support Russia’s proposal on the council taking a clear stance on the protection of diplomats and condemning terrorist attacks at embassies and against diplomats.  “There cannot be any double standards, only a joint consolidated position,” said the Russian foreign ministry official.

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.

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. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said the situation that US Ambassador Peter Haas faced could not be seen as a "security threat". Read more: DUTA slams US Ambassador for ‘contradictory’ behaviour “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. Ambassador Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of Mayer Dak, an organisation of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearance, at Shaheenbagh in the city on Wednesday morning. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who was reportedly disappeared in 2013. When Haas was there, he was approached by members of another organisation - Mayer Kanna - a platform of family members of victims of earlier regimes, specifically the administration of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. The US ambassador met Foreign Minister Momen on an emergency basis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs right after the incident. Read more: US Ambassador visits residence of the coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’ in city The Foreign Secretary said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen tried to explain the situation. The US side said they have raised their “concerns” about this matter at the “highest levels” of the Bangladesh government.

Amid criticism from Dhaka University Teachers’ Association over US ambassador’s “contradictory” approach towards family members of armed forces officers – many of whom were freedom fighters – executed during Gen Ziaur Rahman’s regime, Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy called out the “double standards” in a humorous tone. On Martyred Intellectuals Day (December 14, 2022), US Ambassador Peter Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’, an organisation of families of victims of enforced disappearance, in Dhaka’s Shaheenbagh. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who is reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance that took place in 2013. Read more: DUTA slams US Ambassador for ‘contradictory’ behaviour Acting on information that the US ambassador was visiting a house in Shaheenbagh area, members of ‘Mayer Kanna’ – a platform of family members of victims of enforced disappearance during Gen Zia’s rule – showed up and tried to draw the attention of the ambassador. Awaiting justice for over four decades, the victim families sought intervention of the US ambassador for bringing the perpetrators to book. Gen Zia “unjustly executed around 1,156 army and air force personnel – by hanging or firing squad,” the ‘Mayer Kanna’ appeal reads. Terming the US ambassador’s behaviour “contradictory”, a Dhaka University Teachers’ Association statement said that the envoy went to the house of a disappeared person, but didn’t listen to what ‘Mayer Kanna’, an organisation seeking justice for those killed and disappeared during the regime of Ziaur Rahman, had to say. Read more: US envoy’s visit to Mayer Dak coordinator’s house won’t hurt ties: Info Minister Following the much-talked about incident, Sajeeb Wazed on his verified Facebook page wrote: “Why has there never been a coup in Washington, DC? Because, there is no US Embassy there!” The post gained traction on social media amid statement from BNP leaders raising concerns about diplomats’ security in the country. Many netizens pointed out the 2004 grenade attack on the then British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Anwar Choudhury, in Sylhet, when BNP was in office. Many also questioned the timing of the US ambassador’s visit on Martyred Intellectuals Day. The nation mourns the day by honouring the martyrs, going to memorials. During the Liberation War in 1971, Pakistan army with its local collaborators — many belonging to Jamaat — picked up over 1000 Bengali intellectuals and brutally killed them. The alliance between Jamaat and BNP dates back to the latter’s founding days under Gen Ziaur Rahman.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said the situation that US Ambassador Peter Haas faced cannot 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 the Dhaka-Washington relations of long 50 years. Ambassador Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of Mayer Dak, an organisation of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearance, at Shaheenbagh in the city on Wednesday morning. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who was reportedly disappeared in 2013.As Haas arrived there though, he was intercepted and confronted by members of another organisation - Maayer Kanna (Mother's Tears) - a platform of family members of victims of earlier regimes, specifically the administration of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Read: DUTA slams US Ambassador for ‘contradictory’ behaviour The US Ambassador met Foreign Minister Momen on emergency basis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs right after the incident. The Foreign Secretary said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen tried to explain the situation on Wednesday. “I told him that it is our responsibility to ensure security for you and your people. I asked him (Haas) whether anybody attacked him or on his people. He replied, no,” the foreign minister told reporters, adding that they will provide the Ambassador additional security if he wants. The Ambassador's security escort asked him to leave the place as soon as possible fearing blockade by people there. “Due to security reasons he left quickly. He is very unhappy with that incident. He is a bit worried,” Momen said. Read: Families of armed forces officers executed during Zia regime seek US ambassador’s intervention for justice The US Ambassador and embassy staff concluded the meeting early on December 14 due to “security concerns”. The US side said they have raised their “concerns” about this matter at the “highest levels” of the Bangladesh government.

Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) on Thursday criticised US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas’ acceptance of a request from ‘Mayer Daak’ and his visit to the house of a person who had disappeared in 2013, terming the incident as biased and politically motivated. In a statement, DUTA said that the way the US envoy is trying to fulfill the interests of a vested quarter is worrisome. Terming the US diplomat’s behaviour contradictory, it said that he went to the house of a disappeared person, but didn’t hear what Mayer Kanna, an organisation seeking justice for those who were killed and had disappeared during the regime of Ziaur Rahman, had to say. Read: Families of armed forces officers executed during Zia regime seek US ambassador’s intervention for justice “This type of dual nature has saddened us,” the statement read. DUTA also came down heavily on other foreign diplomats, saying that their comments on the internal affairs of Bangladesh are obscene and against diplomatic norms and values. “Countries like the US and the UK regularly tell us to improve our human rights situation, while it’s them who have been providing shelter to the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyred intellectuals. We demand clear answers from them when they talk about human rights in Bangladesh,” according to the statement. Read: US Ambassador visits residence of the coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’ in city Prof Dr Md Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, General Secretary of DUTA, signed the statement on behalf of the teachers of the university.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that Wednesday's incident involving the US Ambassador, when he went to meet with the family of an enforced disappearance victim, has brought into question the security of the diplomatic corps in Bangladesh. Talking to reporters at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday, Khosru also accused the government of trying to intimidate foreign diplomats "like it has the country’s people," to prolong power. “This is a matter of deep concern.  A diplomat went to a special programme and then a ruling party-backed group in the name of another organisation with their (AL's) help went there. It’s unlawful,” the BNP leader said. He said everyone has the freedom to hold their own programmes. “But the process of going to another programme, disrupting that programme and diverting the programme in a different direction speaks of an undemocratic attitude.”  “The people of Bangladesh have been suffering from insecurity. It is also now being seen that the safety of the diplomats is becoming questionable,” the BNP leader said. US Ambassador Peter Haas on Wednesday visited the Shaheenbagh residence of Sanjida Islam, sister of disappeared BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, and coordinator of Maayer Dak (Mother's Call), an advocacy group of the families of enforced disappearance victims.  Read: Families of armed forces officers executed during Zia regime seek US ambassador’s intervention for justice There however, he was intercepted and confronted by members of another organisation - Maayer Kanna (Mother's Tears) - a platform of family members of victims of earlier regimes, specifically the administration of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Sajedul Islam Sumon reportedly disappeared in 2013. Sanjida founded Maayer Dak in the vein of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, which was formed for the enforced disappearance victims of Argentina's last military dictatorship. Similar organisations exist in other countries around South America where significant numbers disappeared under military governments starting in the Seventies. Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said this was not the first such incident as similar incidents happened in the past with the help of the government and the ruling party. “I think action should be taken against those responsible for this incident." He recalled that former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat's vehicle came under attack by the ruling party activists, he said, when she went to join a dinner party. “No one was arrested and no one got punished after attacking Bernicat's motorcade. It has clearly manifested who was behind that incident and the government’s motive,” Khosru said. He said the government wants this kind of incident to happen so that an atmosphere of fear and panic is created in the country. Read: US Ambassador visits residence of the coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’ in city “The way they (govt) want to suppress the country’s people through intimidation, now the same way they’re trying cling to power by creating a different atmosphere of fear for the diplomats. The latest incident has proved it,” the BNP leader said. The BNP leader said the same group of people, who tried to create trouble at the US envoy’s programme on Wednesday, also tried to obstruct BNP’s programme on human rights a few months back. “Such efforts to impede various programmes with the help of the government have become a character of Awami League. They can hold their programmes, but it is illegal to try to create trouble at the programmes of others with the backing of the government,” he observed.  About Bangladesh’s relations with the United States, the BNP leader said, “We have very good relations with this country and we have trade and multilateral relationship with them and our ties with them are very important."  Khosru bemoaned the incident, saying it will 'seriously dent' Bangladesh’s image across the globe. About the Foreign Minister’s remark that the US diplomat did not inform the government about the programme, Khosru said: “Does it mean diplomats can’t join any programme without informing the govt? Why were police roaming the area (Shaheenbagh) two days before the programme if the government was not aware of the event? There’s also a police team with the ambassador. So, the government was aware of it.” Read: US ambassador didn’t go to the memorial on Martyred Intellectuals’ Day, he went somewhere else: Quader He said it cannot be an excuse that the government could not ensure the safety of the US diplomat as he did not inform the government about his programme. “You will get security if you inform the government, otherwise you get your own security. The government’s attitude is reflecting the character of security of this country.”  Khosru warned that if this trend continues, the security of the people of the country as well as foreign diplomats will become questionable. He said people belonging to Mayer Kanna did not face any action earlier as well for obstructing some BNP programmes. “The government is supposed to take action against those who have created troubles in the US Ambassador’s programme. But we’ve so far not seen any such step… The government itself is exposing through their actions that they are behind it," the BNP leader observed. He said it is clear from the ministers’ remarks that such an incident happened with the backing of the government.   “They’re indirectly supporting the incident as it can’t take place without their help.” Khosru said the government should take action against those involved in creating trouble in the US diplomat’s programme.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday hosted a reception at his residence for the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).   He explained that he wanted to show his gratitude for the work that the diplomatic correspondents perform in Bangladesh.   “Yours is a noble profession, and increasingly, around the world, it is a difficult and dangerous one,” Ambassador Haas told the members of DCAB. Read more: US Ambassador visits residence of the coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’ in city He said journalists play a critical role every day in strengthening democratic institutions by informing their fellow citizens of the events happening in their countries. "This role is more important now than ever.”  Foreign diplomats from other missions attended the event.