US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has expressed concerns over the recent reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka.
In a statement on Thursday (December 8, 2022), he urged everyone to respect the rule of law and refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation.
"We encourage the government to investigate these reports of violence and protect the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly," Haas said.
The US Embassy has also extended its condolences to the family of the man who was killed and those of the injured in Wednesday's clash between BNP men and police in the capital's Nayapaltan. The violence further inflamed the tense situation over BNP's scheduled December 10 rally in the capital.
Police fired teargas shells and baton-charged the crowd during the near 30-minute clash after which the Nayapaltan area resembled a battlefield.
Top BNP leaders were among over 300 people police picked up as they stormed the party's central office in Nayapaltan, officers said.
