US visa restrictions begin

Diplomatic Correspondent

The new visa policy announced by the US has begun to be applied centering on national election ahead. The US department of state on Friday announced that the visa restrictions on the people who involved in making obstacle in democratic election process in Bangladesh had begun. The restrictions included members of law enforcing agencies, people from ruling parties and oppositions of Bangladesh. All these messages were conveyed by a statement of Matthew Miller, the spokesperson of US department of state.

This step has been taken after four months of announcing the visa policy by the US, which initiated a new chapter in US’s steps regarding Bangladesh. Prior to the announcement, US Under-Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reiterated the US's stance on free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

According to the diplomatic sources, this visa ban has been given to people who are in the election process in Bangladesh. However, the United States will not publicly disclose the names that have been banned. It will be disclosed in the light of the visa policy that only certain types of election-related persons are being banned. However, those who are to be banned may be personally informed by the embassy or other ways. In response to the question as to how they’re imposing visa ban before the election date is announced, the US authority has said this policy is not only applicable just on the election day, but for the entire democratic election process. The US does not know the exact date of the election, but it clearly knows that the election process is in full swing.

Earlier, on Friday evening, the US State Department statement said on Friday the US has started imposing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for and assisting in obstructing the democratic election process in Bangladesh. These individuals include members of law enforcement agencies, ruling parties and opposition political parties. These individuals and their family members will be ineligible for entry into the United States. The US State Department said the US is committed to continuing to help Bangladesh conduct fair and free elections in a peaceful manner. Other persons found to be responsible or involved in undermining the democratic electoral process in Bangladesh may also be considered ineligible for visas under this policy in the future. These individuals include current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, judiciary and security services. Our actions today are a reflection of the continued commitment of the United States to Bangladesh's goal of holding peaceful, fair and free national elections, the statement said. It also reflects the commitment of the United States to support those who want to advance global democracy.

At Friday night, the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Dhaka, Brian Schiller, said since we announced this visa policy, the US government has been keeping a close eye on the situation. After a careful review of the evidence, we imposed visa restrictions on members of law enforcement, members of the ruling party and oppositions. In response to the question whether the United States will publish the names of the people who come under the visa restrictions, the embassy spokesperson said No, we will not publish the names of the people who come under these visa restrictions. Explaining the reason, he said that visa records are confidential under US law.

US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lew told the media on Friday night, "We have said from the beginning that we wouldn’t disclose the names of those who will be subject to visa restrictions under this policy. All I can say is that since the announcement of this policy, we have seen the whole process very closely. After a thorough review of the evidence, we have imposed visa bans on members of law enforcement agencies, ruling parties and opposition political parties. The purpose of this policy is to be a constructive partner of the people of Bangladesh by reducing violence and preventing any activities that obstruct free and fair elections.”

In response to the question of why visa ban was given to them, Donald Lu said according to this policy, visa ban can be imposed on any person who is undermining democratic elections. The ban may be imposed for reasons such as vote rigging, voter intimidation, and violence to prevent freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and planned measures against political parties, voters, civil society or the media to prevent participation in the electoral process or expression of opinion. This principle applies not only to Election Day, but to the entire democratic election process.

Donald Lu said in response to the question that those who had been banned from visas are being determined by what process the relevant department determines regarding banning under this policy on the basis of credible comprehensive information about those who undermine the democratic process in Bangladesh and on the basis of compact evidence and review. We apply this process equally and appropriately to the government, opposition parties and security agencies.

In response to the question whether the announcement of this ban will create challenges and discomfort in Bangladesh-US relations, Donald Lu said, “We have a dynamic, strong and multifaceted bilateral relationship with Bangladesh. The United States is an important partner in Bangladesh's significant development journey. Over the past 51 years, we have provided billions of dollars in aid. We are helping to deal with the current dengue crisis in Bangladesh. The United States is the largest foreign investor in Bangladesh. Our security partnership is strong and enduring. Bangladesh hosts the largest refugee population in the world and we are by far the largest donor to the Rohingya refugee crisis. Last year, we celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations and look forward to deepening our relationship with Bangladesh for the next 50 years and beyond. What the Bangladeshis want, the US also wants, a peaceful, free and fair election.”

The United States announced a new visa policy for Bangladesh on May 25 to ensure free, fair and peaceful national elections in Bangladesh. It is said that the country wouldn’t grant visas to Bangladeshis who are responsible or involved in obstructing the democratic election process in Bangladesh. That day, US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken said the new visa policy was announced to advance the free and fair election process. Free and fair elections are the responsibility of voters, political parties, government, security forces, civil society and media. Our visa policy aimed to support those who want to advance democracy in Bangladesh.

(The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 22 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)