U.S. imposes visa sanctions on anyone undermining elections in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON – The U.S. has announced it will restrict travel permits for Bangladeshis involved in election meddling.

According to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, visa-related sanctions will be imposed on current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and even the opposition if they are involved in undermining the electoral process.

Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for January 2024.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said acts that undermine the democratic electoral process include vote rigging, voter intimidation, and the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their rights.

“Acts that undermine the democratic electoral process include electoral fraud, voter intimidation, the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and the use of measures to prevent political parties, voters, civil society or the media from disseminating their views,” Blinken said.

Holding free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government, security forces, civil society, and the media, he said.

“I announce this policy to support all those who want to advance democracy in Bangladesh,” he added.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said they want to show that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.

“The point is to signal to those in Bangladesh who may be considering actions that would affect the ability of the people of Bangladesh to speak out that we are watching. We think this is an important step,” he told reporters.