Speaking to reporters at the foreign ministry, he said there were exaggerations, inconsistencies and information gap in the issues mentioned in the letter.
Congressmen Scott Perry, Barry Moore, Warren Davidson, Bob Good, Tim Burchett and Keith Self wrote to the US president on May 25 requesting urgent actions to stop the human rights abuses by the government in Bangladesh and give its people the best possible chance for free and fair parliamentary elections.
The letter said, “The well-documented abuses by the Hasina government are not confined to her political opponents; the government has also persecuted ethnic and religious minorities in Bangladesh.”
Shahriar said such letters were sent by US congressmen in the past and more letters may be sent in future as the national election is approaching.
“But, as I said, we will reach out to all these members. Not only them, we will regularly update all those who have interest in the issues covered in the letter.”
Asked for comments on Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori’s meeting some BNP leaders in Dhaka and the discussion on the next parliamentary polls, Shahriar said he had no details on that.
He, however, said there was a time about six months ago when foreign ambassadors started talking about Bangladesh’s internal issues. “If they do it again and go beyond their limits, the government will take necessary measures.”
The state minister said the government has not noticed any such comments recently.
About speculations that some other countries may follow the new US visa policy, he said these are nothing but rumours and propaganda.
Under the visa policy, the US will restrict visas for Bangladeshis believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
Shahriar said as the general election approaches, more propaganda will be carried out and the mainstream media should verify all those information before publishing.
He the government does not believe in the policy of continuing relationship with a country while being under pressure.
Asked about Dhaka’s reactions to the setting up of a mural in India’s new parliament building that has triggered concerns in Nepal and Pakistan as it is being interpreted as a map of “Akhand Bharat” comprising parts of several neighbouring countries, the state minister said Dhaka has asked its mission in New Delhi for clarification.
The mural, as explained by the Indian foreign ministry, is the map of the Ashoka Empire which existed 300 years before Christ, he added. “It has nothing to do with politics. This is not the map of 2023. There is nothing to be confused about,” said Shahriar.
