We all want dialogue: Uzra Zeya

US under secretary Uzra Zeya has said she hopes dialogues will be held among the political parties to resolve differences of opinions ahead of the upcoming national election.

Uzra Zeya held meetings with the prime minister Sheikh Hasina, law minister Anisul Huq, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and the foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday.

She talked to newsmen after a programme lunch with foreign secretary at the state guest house Padma in the afternoon.

US Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said the US wants to play a role for holding a free and fair election in Bangladesh as a long time partner.

She said, alongside the prime minister Sheikh Hasina, several ministers have expressed their commitment in holding a free and fair election.

When asked about a dialogue between two major political parties, the US undersecretary said, "We all want a dialogue. But we are not directly involved in this process."

The US announced a new visa policy in May to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in Bangladesh. According to the visa policy, the US will not issue visas to those Bangladeshis who will hinder the democratic election process.

After the announcement of new visa policy by the US ahead of elections in Bangladesh, Uzra Zeya is visiting Bangladesh as the senior official of their country.

Uzra Zeya arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday evening on a four-day visit.

After visiting Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday, she held meetings with ministers one after another since morning.

As part of global human rights policy, the US wants a free and fair election in Bangladesh, Uzra Zeya said.

In a written speech, the US undersecretary said, "A prosperous future depends on its strong democratic institutions, and the broad participation of Bangladeshis in elections and the governance of their country. The United States looks forward to continued collaboration for an inclusive, democratic Bangladesh, in which all the people of Bangladesh can thrive."

"We also discussed the need for free and fair elections, the ability of journalists to report the news without fear of retaliation or intimidation, collaboration to combat trafficking in persons and the vital role that civil society plays in democracies advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and association," Uzra Zeya added.

When asked about her observation on the government's commitment, Uzra Zeya said, "I've heard a strong commitment from the honorable Prime Minister and all of the government ministers with whom I've had the pleasure to meet today in support of free and fair and peaceful elections and the United States as part of our global human rights policy supports free and fair and peaceful elections and we want to do our part as a longtime partner of Bangladesh to help make this possible."

Demanding the elections under a neutral caretaker government, BNP at a rally in the capital on Wednesday announced a one-point demand seeking the resignation of the government. As a counter event, Awami League organised a rally in the capital on the same day. The rallies ended without any violence.

Citing the matter, US undersecretary Uzra Zeya said, "I have seen the big rallies. It is a matter of relief that the rallies ended without any violence. This is the beginning what we want to see. We hope there will a reflection of it in the future."

When asked about discussions that the US will take tough action if elections are not held in a free and fair manner, she said, "I have come here to recognise the partnership with Bangladesh. The US wants to deepen the relation further. There is a fruitful discussion in establishing free and open Indo-Pacific region."

The US undersecretary said she is satisfied with the meetings with prime minister Sheikh Hasina, law minister Anisul Huq, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and the foreign secretary about the excellent relation between two countries.

Mentioning that the US wants to deepen relation with Bangladesh further, Uzra Zeya said "The United States looks forward to deepening our engagement with Bangladesh over the next 50 years and beyond our cooperation on climate change development, the economy, humanitarian assistance and security shows the range of our strong partnership and future potential during today's meetings."

Praising Bangladesh for hosting Rohingyas, Uzra Zeya said, "I would just commend the government on people of Bangladesh's generosity in supporting the Rohingya. The foreign secretary reaffirms commitment against forced return."

"I've heard a strong commitment from the honorable Prime Minister and all of the government ministers with whom I've had the pleasure to meet today in support of free and fair and peaceful elections. The United States as part of our global human rights policy supports free and fair and peaceful elections and we want to do our part as a longtime partner of Bangladesh to help make this possible.

Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen said there was a fruitful discussion with the US under secretary.

He said he has informed her how Bangladesh evaluates the multifarious relations with the US. It has been placed what Bangladesh achieved in last one decade in amending the labour law, the foreign secretary said adding the initiatives to ensure security and their rights are continuing.

Masud Bin Momen said he has requested the US undersecretary to withdraw the sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).