The United States called for calm in Bangladesh yesterday following the departure of long-ruling leader Sheikh Hasina. The US commended the military for establishing an interim government rather than intensifying the crackdown on protesters.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller urged all parties to cease violence, emphasizing the loss of numerous lives in recent weeks. "We call for calm and restraint in the coming days," Miller stated to reporters.
Since early July, Hasina had attempted to suppress nationwide protests against her government, but she fled the country after nearly 100 people were killed on Sunday.
Miller noted that the United States had received reports indicating the army resisted pressure to intensify the crackdown on the student-led demonstrations.
"If it is true that the army resisted calls to crack down on lawful protesters, that would be a positive development," Miller said. "We welcome the announcement of an interim government and urge that any transition be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh's laws."
When asked if the military should choose the next leadership, Miller responded, "We want to see the Bangladeshi people decide the future of their government."
He added that the United States was "deeply saddened by the reports of human rights abuses, casualties, and injuries over the weekend and in the past weeks."
"It is vital that we have full and transparent investigations to ensure accountability for these deaths," Miller said.
Hasina largely had a productive relationship with the United States, which saw her as a partner on priorities such as countering Islamist extremism and sheltering Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
But the United States had increasingly criticised her for autocratic tendencies and imposed visa sanctions over concerns on democracy.