Bernicat for investigating rights abuses in Rakhain state

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat yesterday called for "full, formal and transparent investigation" into human rights violations in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

"We condemn the attacks on innocent civilians in Rakhine state of Myanmar and call for an independent and transparent investigation to know what is happening inside the country," she said.

The US envoy was speaking at a function styled "DCAB Talk" organized by Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) at EMK Centre in the city's Dhanmondi area this afternoon.

DCAB President Angur Nahar Monti chaired the function when its General Secretary Pantha Rahman gave address of welcome. The US envoy said they had been putting pressure on the Burmese government both before and after the elections urging them to respect the rights of all people who live in the country.

Lauding Bangladesh government for tackling influx of Rohinga refugees following persecution by the Myanmar armed forces, she said, "We have been a great admirer to the fact that Bangladesh government has very patiently and very skillfully working on the issue bilaterally with the government of the Burma.

"At this point of time, they were asking for access to the region for sometime so that humanitarian assistance can be sent and what is happening can be determined and then participate with the international community to find solutions to the situation," she said.

Responding to another query, Bernicat said that the US is constantly monitoring the developments in Rakhine state and looking to work with like-minded nations on this situation as the Bangladesh government called for an international response to this crisis.

When asked about formation of the new election commission in Bangladesh, Bernicat said that the US and its allies are urging Bangladesh government to select the new electoral commission through an "inclusive and transparent" process to make it "independent, strong and non-partisan".

She said the current EC that held the last parliamentary elections without the opposition BNP has its term running out in Feb next year. 

"We took real interest and notice that the Prime Minister herself during the Awami League council said that she does not want to have questionable elections next time," she said.

She added that the formation of the new electoral commission would be the first tangible step for the government to make that reality. 

"We want to see an independent, strong and non-partisan electoral commission that takes every step between now and the day people actually go to the polls that will ensure everyone who wants to vote can cast vote and every vote cast can be counted. The preparations began long before the election day. The formation of EC is the first step," she said.

Replying to questions on the change of administration in the US and its impact on US-Bangladesh relations, she said, she was confident that the relationship would remain strong as it is now.

"We are absolutely confident that the next transition will be like the others. The goals and the values of the US do not change from administration to administration very much. Yes each President puts his mark on the types of things he wants to achieve," she added. 

In this connection, she said everybody should know that the US system in which three branches  judiciary, congress and the president - share power. But democracy lies on the institutions and the people.

"Even President and Congress are all the same party like the current administration that does not mean that everybody agrees with one another. There is real give and take in our system. The real strength lies within our citizens," she added.

On the immigration issue, she said it was governed by the US immigration and nationality act and nowhere it allows immigration based on religion, affiliation and identification.

"We want people to visit US. We want people to come as tourists. We want business people come. We want students to come to study," she said.

Lauding expansion of ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh, the US envoy stressed diversifying Bangladesh's export items keeping in mind the demand of the present world. 

She also encouraged Bangladeshi businesses to invest in the US and take the leverage of US privilege in the world while exporting back.

Source: BSS