Threat to beat Peter Haas deeply unhelpful: State department

The State department has termed the threat to beat the US ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas 'deeply unhelpful'.

Principal deputy spokesperson of the state department, Vedant Patel, made the remark while answering a query from a journalist in a regular briefing on Wednesday.

Chattogram's Banshkhali upazila's Chambol union chairman and Union Awami League convener Mujibul Haque Chowdhury on Monday threatened to beat US ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas. He broadcast his statement live on his Facebook.

Citing the threat of the local leader against Peter Haas for his outspoken activities for a free and fair election in Bangladesh, a Bangladeshi journalist asked how the US views its security of diplomats stationed in Dhaka.

Vedant Patel said the security and safety of diplomats is very important. Terming the threat 'violent rhetoric', he said the host countries will ensure security of US diplomats in line with Vienna Convention and diplomatic convention.

When asked that the government has arrested over 8,000 opposition leaders and activists ahead of the national election and heading towards an one sided election like in 2014 and 2018, the US official said the US does not support any political party in Bangladesh. But the US has engaged and will continue to engage with the government, the opposition parties, the civil society and stakeholders so that the elections are carried out in a free and fair manner.