The Crime Desk: The US has stated its position on a recent Facebook post by interim government advisor Mahfuz Alam, a map of Greater Bengal including Assam-Tripura in India, a ban on the dissemination of Sheikh Hasina’s speech, who fled to India, etc.
On Tuesday (December 17), local time, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the US’s statement focusing on Bangladesh. In addition, Matthew Miller also talked about the fact that the entire 350-kilometer border of Bangladesh-Myanmar has come under the control of the country’s armed rebel group, the Arakan Army.
At the press briefing, a journalist asked, ‘Recently, one of Dr. Yunus’s advisors posted a controversial post on social media with a map connecting parts of India, including West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam. Such posts can be a risk to regional stability in South Asia. Is the US government concerned about this issue and considering providing any advice against such statements to support peace and stability in the region?’
In response, Matthew Miller said, ‘I am not aware of any such post. I do not know anything beyond what you have told me. As a general rule, I do not comment on matters that I have not seen or am not aware of.’
Then the questioning journalist said, ‘The International Criminal Tribunal has recently banned the media and social media from broadcasting all kinds of hate speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the main accused in the July-August genocide case who fled to India. What do you have to say about this?’
Matthew Miller said that he would not comment on this issue either.
Then the questioner asked about the freedom of the media in Bangladesh. In response, Miller said, ‘We have been consistently engaging with the Bangladesh government on this issue. As we told the previous government, we have told this government that the United States believes in freedom of the media. We believe that press freedom should be respected and such cases should be dealt with in a manner consistent with the rule of law and respect for the press.’
Then another journalist questioned the Myanmar side of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border falling under the control of armed insurgent groups. In response, Matthew Miller said, ‘We are closely monitoring these developments and are concerned about the potential for conflict and the potential for regional stability and security to deteriorate. Helping to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis is a priority for us. The people and government of Bangladesh have shown generosity in providing shelter to Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Burma, and we will continue to work with Bangladesh to assist the Rohingya and other vulnerable communities in Burma who have sought refuge there.’
