A group of influential United States lawmakers has urged Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure that the upcoming national election in February is free, fair, and inclusive, warning that the exclusion of major political actors could undermine democratic legitimacy. The lawmakers serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. The move has sparked debate both domestically and internationally over its potential impact on political pluralism and electoral credibility. In the letter, the lawmakers underscored the importance of creating conditions that allow citizens to peacefully express their political will through the ballot box. “Freedom of association, as well as the principle of individual rather than collective criminal responsibility, are fundamental human rights,” the lawmakers wrote.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 24, 2025 11:25 UTC