The US wants fair investigation into any killings in Bangladesh including the recent murder of RMG union leader Shahidul Islam, US Department of State's Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya told Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today. 

"The US delegation discussed some issues including the killing of labour leader Shahidul Islam. I have told them any crime in Bangladesh gets a fair trial subject to a fair investigation and will continue to do so," the minister said following his meeting with the UD delegation at the secretariat on Thursday (13 July).

US condemns murder of RMG union leader; calls for thorough investigation, arrests

When asked whether they discussed the issue of the caretaker government and the Digital Security Act (DSA) in the meeting, the minister said, "The caretaker government was not discussed in the meeting. They didn't even ask. I didn't feel the need to talk about it either."

"The Digital Security Act has been discussed. What I have said about this law before, I have said the same words to them today. As said earlier, the Digital Security Act will be amended by September," he added.

"They have made it clear that they want to see free, fair and impartial elections in all countries. As the Law Secretary told the European Union team yesterday, Bangladesh has the legal framework for free and fair elections. I have mentioned the laws which are helpful in this regard," Anisul Huq further said. 

He said, "We have talked about the power of Article 118 of the Constitution to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and the act to appoint the Election Commissioner. We have also said that this law has not been made in Bangladesh in the last 50 years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government made this law. Besides, we have also said that no other country in this subcontinent has this law.'

The law minister also said that there was no discussion about human rights.

Minister Anisul Huq presented some books and a replica of a boat to Under Secretary Uzra Zeya following the meeting.