The country’s diplomatic zone will be very busy once again after the Eid-ul-Azha as several representative teams from the United States (US) and European Union (EU) are scheduled to visit Bangladesh in July ahead of the next parliamentary elections.
According to diplomatic sources, the EU will send an Exploratory Mission to Dhaka on July 8 for two weeks to assess the advisability, usefulness, and feasibility of the upcoming general election. The election commission has welcomed the mission in a written invitation. Before completing the visit of the EU mission, a representative of influential officials of the US foreign office is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh. The four-member delegation may come in mid-July. As a result, the country’s diplomatic zone will remain busy in phases.
The sources said the US is going to send a high-level representative team to observe the election situation in Bangladesh amid its visa restriction announcement. This will be the highest-level visit after the US via policy announcement. The US under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Victoria Nuland, is likely to lead the delegation. However, it is yet to confirm. Three other officials including US assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu must be in the team.
A Washington-based diplomatic source told the media that the high-level representative team is likely to discuss the next national election. They might meet all major political parties including the ruling Awami League.
Bangladesh foreign ministry source said after finalizing the visit, democracy, human rights and Rohingya issues will get preference in the discussion.
In March this year, Victoria Nuland came to Dhaka to attend a dialogue with Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen welcomed her at the airport. Earlier in January, Donald Lu came to Dhaka and left Bangladesh after announcing to boost bilateral relations between the US and Bangladesh.
After his country’s new visa policy in May last, Donald Lu said, “We believe that Bangladesh demands a free, fair and participatory election as a real democratic country.”
On the other hand, the EU Exploratory Mission will talk with the various political parties, civil society, and media concerned to resolve the current political crisis during their 13-day visit to Dhaka. After concluding the visit, the mission will submit its report to EU high representative Josep Borrell.
Peter Stano, spokesperson of the European Union said the EU is closely observing the election situation in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has invited the EU to send observers to the next polls. As part of the process, the EU monitoring team to visit the country in July. EU is trying to make the polls participatory, he added.
Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley has recently said the Exploratory Mission has to decide whether, like any observation mission, if it is feasible, useful and advisable to deploy a full EU observation mission to observe the polls.
They will speak to all the stakeholders including government, political parties, election commission and security officials. This will be the first step which also includes security, added Charles Whiteley.
It is mentionable, on May 24 last, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement announcing to denial visas to individuals, from law enforcers to political leaders, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
The new policy includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services, he said.
Later, the country’s major political parties welcomed the new visa policy and it has already impacted Bangladesh’s political situation.
@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on June 27, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.
