Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen has come down heavily on foreigners talking about democracy and elections in Bangladesh” – saying that there are flaws in democracy everywhere.
Momen made the remarks during a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when his attention was drawn to US Ambassador Peter Haas’ repeated comments on democracy in Bangladesh and the upcoming national election.
In reply, he said that democratic practices in Bangladesh may have flaws, however, we are working on it and the United States is no exception.
Mentioning about Bangladesh’s efforts in addressing the weaknesses, he said: "Bangladesh struggled and made sacrifices to establish democracy and does not need advice from outsiders."
“We remain vocal when we see injustice. That is Bangladesh,” he added.
Momen further said that the yearning to know about US's observation about Bangladesh's domestic issues is simply a reflection of a colonial mindset.
United States ambassador in Dhaka, Peter Hass, recently said at an event that the United States wishes to witness free and fair elections in Bangladesh with the participation of all parties.
And in reply to such a statement, Bangladesh’s foreign minister came down heavily on foreigners talking about democracy and elections in Bangladesh and addressed it as an ‘attempt of recessive intervention’.
Momen, who has spent a significant amount of time in the United States, mentioned about the low voter participation in the nation, with 72 percent of candidates elected uncontested, 1 to 2 percent voter turnout in by-elections, and few polling booths in certain areas.
The foreign minister aldo advised the media to not ask questions regarding politics and other internal matters of the country to foreign ambassadors, claiming such questions prompt the ambassadors to comment on Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
