Diplomatic missions in Dhaka on Monday expressed their deep concern over the violence during political programmes called by BNP and Jamaat in the capital and elsewhere in Bangladesh.
In a joint statement, they also urged all the stakeholders to exercise ‘restraint, eschew violence and work together’ for free, fair, participatory, and peaceful elections.
“The governments of Australia, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States are deeply concerned by the violence during political gatherings in Dhaka on 28 October,” said the joint statement signed by the embassies and high commissions of the countries mentioned.
The countries extended their condolences for the loss of life and to those injured.
The statement came hours before the scheduled briefing of the government for the diplomats.
Meanwhile the government briefed the diplomats stationed in Dhaka, representatives of UN agencies and international organizations on the current situation in Bangladesh on Monday afternoon.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen spoke the briefing programme at state guesthouse Jamuna at 4:00pm.
Senior Cabinet members and officials of the government also attended the briefing.
It should be mentioned that several people, including a police constable, were killed and around a hundred people, including 20 journalists, were injured by the cadres of BNP and Jamaat. They also locked into clashes with law-enforcers, set around 40 vehicles on fire and damaged many others in two days (Saturday and Sunday).
The BNP and Jamaat have been trying to forge a movement to force the present Awami League government to resign and form a caretaker government for holding the next general election.
On the other hand, the government has been rejecting the demand as the caretaker government system is not a democratic and Constitutional system. Moreover, the Supreme Court in one of its verdict rejected the Caretaker Government system terming it unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Meanwhile, since there is a constitutional obligation to hold the next 12th General Election by January 29, the Election Commission is preparing for holding the next election in the first week of January, 2024. The EC officials said they are going to announce the election schedule in the second week of November.
