“I urge the government to take the necessary steps to fully respect the human rights of all Bangladeshis and strengthen the foundations of a truly inclusive democracy in the country,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will serve a fifth term after her party won three-quarters of the seats in parliament after elections boycotted by the opposition, election officials announced earlier on Monday.
Under Sh. Hasina’s once-poor country has enjoyed tremendous economic growth, but her government has been accused of human rights abuses and ruthless silencing of dissent.
„[Valdančioji partija] Awami League has won the election,” announced Moniruzzaman Talukder, general secretary of the Election Commission.
Sh. Hasina on Monday dismissed criticism from the opposition over what the latter said was an unfair general election.
“The election was free and fair,” she told reporters in her first public comments after the vote, stressing that “those who want to criticize can criticize.”
The election took place on Sunday, and initial reports indicated that voter turnout was only around 40 percent.
According to M. Talukder, Sh. Hasina’s party won 223 seats in parliament. But the support of other MPs, including from pro-incumbency parties, means the prime minister will effectively control even more of the 300 seats in parliament, analysts say.
#urges #Bangladesh #reverse #controversial #election
2024-07-05 07:57:11