UN Stands Against Violence-Harassment-Arbitrary Arrest In BD

The United Nations has reiterated the call for "free and fair" elections in Bangladesh and urged against harassment and violence in the run-up to the national election scheduled in a couple of months.

"I think our viewpoint on Bangladesh and the need for a free and fair election, I think we've spoken out very clearly [about those]," Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told reporters in a regular media briefing in New York on November 1.

He said they also spoke against harassment or arbitrary arrest or violence during this period.

The government of Bangladesh said the next election will be held either at the end of 2023 or the first week of 2024, and it will be "free, fair, and peaceful" and it does not matter who participates or does not.