Ensure legal rights for all detainees: US tells Bangladesh amid jailed monk’s arrest

New Delhi: Amid the growing strain in India-Bangladesh ties, a US state department spokesperson in Washington said that Bangladesh should ensure “appropriate” legal representation for all detainees in line with fundamental human rights principles. His comments came soon after arrested Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari’s bail hearing in a Chittagong court on Tuesday was adjourned for a month due to absence of a legal counsel.

Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said this after a reporter enquired about the US response to the situation of the monk, who has been charged with sedition, and was not able to find “a willing lawyer” in Bangladesh to represent him since his arrest and imprisonment.

Vedant Patel pointed out that his view was “consistent with” what the US expects from every government, highlighting the need for “respect for fundamental freedoms, respect for religious freedom, and basic human rights”. Patel added that any kind of protest “needs to be peaceful” and that, during any crackdown, governments must respect the rule of law and safeguard fundamental human rights. “And that’s something we will continue to emphasise.”

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Yunus invites Indian journalists, seeks ‘national unity’

In Dhaka, chief adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus issued an invitation to Indian journalists to probe allegations of Hindu persecution and report the truth. “We are working to explain this to the Indian government and counter the misinformation,” he said. His statement came after a meeting on Wednesday with members of all political parties, except the ousted Awami League, to seek “national unity” amid growing outcry over Chinmoy Krishna’s arrest and reports of atrocities against Hindus and other minorities.

Yunus urged politicians to avoid provocative actions, dismissing reports of ongoing attacks on Hindus as “propaganda”. He highlighted that it was crucial to inform to the world that “Bangladesh remains united and is resilient against any fabricated narratives from abroad”. He will hold another meeting with religious leaders on Thursday.