The United States has expressed its concern over the anti-drug operations in Bangladesh and called for transparent investigations of all the extrajudicial killings during the counter-narcotics campaign.
The Department of State’s Spokesperson Heather Nauert issued a statement on Wednesday from Washington.
“We are concerned by reports that at least 147 people have been killed and 21,000 arrested since early May by Bangladeshi security forces in a nationwide counter-narcotics campaign,” read the statement.
“We urge Bangladesh to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into all credible reports of extrajudicial killings.” “While illegal drugs are a scourge across the world, Bangladesh should ensure its law enforcement respect human rights and that their conduct is consistent with international standards and Bangladesh’s own constitution, which includes a presumption of innocence and the right to due process.
“We look to the Government of Bangladesh to fully meet its human rights obligations,” the State Department added.
