The United States on Monday called for calm in Bangladesh after the flight of longtime leader Sheikh Hasina, praising the military for promising to form an interim government rather than continuing to crack down on protesters.
“We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. Too many lives have been lost in recent weeks and we call for calm and restraint in the days ahead,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
Hasina had been trying to quell nationwide protests against her government since early July but fled the country after nearly 100 people were killed on Sunday.
Miller said the United States had seen reports that the military had refused to exert pressure to further suppress student-led protests.
“If it is true that the military resisted calls to crack down on legal protesters, that would be a positive development,” he said.
“We welcome the announcement of an interim government and urge that any transition be carried out in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh,” he said.
Asked whether the military should choose the next leadership, Miller said: “We want to see the people of Bangladesh decide the future government of Bangladesh.”
He said the United States was also “deeply saddened by reports of human rights abuses, casualties and injuries over the past weekend and weeks.”
“It is vital that we have full and transparent investigations to ensure accountability for these deaths,” Miller said.
Hasina has had a largely productive relationship with the United States, which viewed her as a partner on priorities such as combating Islamist extremism and protecting Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
However, the United States has increasingly criticised her for her autocratic tendencies and imposed visa sanctions over concerns about democracy.
