UN, US call for peaceful political environment in Bangladesh

The United Nations has expressed concerns over recent political violence in Bangladesh in which many were killed and injured over the past few months, said UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Tuesday.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price also expressed hope that the people of Bangladesh will be able to choose their government through a free and fair election.

"I am discussing with the political parties [of Bangladesh] about how things can be done in a peaceful way," UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis said at an event at the National Press Club organised by the Diplomatic Correspondent Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) on Tuesday.

"I am also involved with the Ministry of Home Affairs and various security forces to try to protect lives," she added.

The UN official said protests and rallies are parts of democracy and should be respected.

Lewis said the UN has not taken any decision about engaging in the Bangladesh election.

"It is not our decision, it is the decision of the government of Bangladesh," she said. "If the Bangladesh government seeks assistance or I get a specific request from the Security Council or the general assembly, there is no mandate to the UN to engage in an election."

Meanwhile, at a news conference at the State Department in Washington DC, US Tuesday (8 November), State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, "With respect to the political process and the next election in Bangladesh, we hope for a robust civic participation."

Speaking of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's warning last week that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia would be sent back to jail if her party crossed the line in the name of movement, Price urged the Bangladesh government to create a safe environment for people to practise their freedom of speech.

"We urge the Government of Bangladesh to create a safe environment for people to peacefully assemble and to voice their concerns, and relatedly, for opposition parties to campaign without facing intimidation and repression," he stated.

UN on Rohingya issue, climate change impact

Gwyn Lewis said despite the other major crises in the world, the United Nations continues to focus on the Rohingya issue, and has been trying to find a political solution.

"We are working for the safe and dignified return of the displaced Rohingyas – currently in Bangladesh – to Myanmar," she said.

On the impact of climate change on Bangladesh, she said the issue of damages and adaptations needs to be on the table at COP27 and urgent steps need to be taken to provide financial and technological support to the most impacted countries.

Lewis said climate change is also impacting Bangladesh's economy.

Data shows that from 2000 to 2019, Bangladesh suffered economic losses worth over $3.72 billion due to extreme weather events linked to climate change, said the UN official.

Gwyn Lewis said the Bangladesh economy is on a positive track despite the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the current food and fuel crisis generated by the Russia-Ukraine war is also creating pressures and uncertainty, including for the markets for Bangladeshi products overseas, she said.

Amid this global situation, there are both benefits and risks to LDC graduation, she added.

The UN official said the graduation will enhance the confidence of the country in dealing with the international financial bodies, improve Bangladesh's credit rating and attract higher foreign direct investment flow.

However, she said it will also affect certain preferential treatments in trade, subsidies to agriculture and access to some LDC-specific funds.