MENG, OCASIO-CORTEZ, & VELÁZQUEZ ISSUE STATEMENT ON INTERIM BANGLADESHI LEADER MOHAMMAD YUNUS

News24USA.Com Desk, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) issued the following statement after an interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus, was sworn in to restore peace in Bangladesh.

“After several weeks of violent and deadly protests between Bangladeshi students and police forces, resulting in instability and widespread uncertainty about the country’s future, we are encouraged by the incoming interim government led by Mohammad Yunus. Following the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we urge the interim Prime Minister Yunus to lead a peaceful transition of power and restore stability across the country as the new government takes office. The U.S.-Bangladeshi relationship has long been predicated on mutual respect for the rule of law, promotion of democracy, and protection of human rights. As he leads the nation toward free and fair elections, Prime Minister Yunus must put an end to the persistent violence, including reports of anti-Hindu violence, and restore order so the people of Bangladesh can look ahead to a democratic future.
Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those killed, as well as the many people who were injured when violence broke out between student protesters and police. New York is home to a significant Bangladeshi-American community, especially in Queens and the Bronx, and we stand ready to help those in our community that need assistance.”
Throughout the month of June, Bangladesh has suffered one of the worst outbreaks of violence in years in the Capitol of Dhaka as the government cracked down on students protesting a quota system that allocates up to 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans that fought in the country’s war of independence in 1971. Bangladeshi authorities used tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades; put in place a strict, military-imposed curfew and “shoot-on-sight” orders; and shut down internet and mobile services across Bangladesh. Attacks against peaceful protesters killed about 400 people and injured thousands more.
In response, Meng, Ocasio-Cortez, and Velázquez, along with 19 other Members of Congress, wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the U.S. Department of State to redouble efforts to support the democratic will of the people in Bangladesh. Press Release.