Washington, February 10: The U.S. Congress held a briefing regarding Bangladesh, warning that the country is heading towards a serious political turning point. It was noted that democratic institutions are weakening, and the threat to religious minorities is increasing ahead of the national elections scheduled for February 12.
This briefing was organized by HinduAction and Kohna organizations at the Rayburn House Office Building. Michael Rubin, a senior expert from the American Enterprise Institute, stated that the best way to assess claims of reform in any country is to examine how religious minorities are treated.
Rubin pointed out that Islamic parties like Jamaat-e-Islami exploit religion to evade accountability, creating a provocative atmosphere. He cautioned that once tolerance erodes in society, regaining it becomes exceedingly difficult.
He also mentioned that Bangladesh could quickly fall into the category of countries with severe concerns regarding religious freedom, which should alarm the U.S. According to him, Bangladesh is significant in terms of population and economy and serves as a barometer for South Asia.
Rubin questioned U.S. policy, stating that America often waits for incidents to occur before responding, whereas proactive measures are crucial. He criticized the diplomatic ambiguity in reporting political violence, saying, “By using passive voice, you show that you don’t know who detonated the bomb or are deliberately trying to obscure the issue. You are essentially whitewashing terrorism.”
During the Q&A session, Rubin emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami should not be viewed as a regular political party, labeling it a terrorist organization.
Journalist and geopolitical analyst Adel Nazarian also contributed to the discussion, asserting that the February 12 election is not merely an internal matter for Bangladesh but will impact regional and global security.
Nazarian warned that excluding the Awami League from the electoral process sends a dangerous message to society. He stated, “When a major party is excluded from the electoral process, the message to society is direct and perilous. It creates the perception that power is determined not through legitimate means but by force.”
He urged U.S. leadership to take clear and decisive action, emphasizing that mere statements are insufficient; concrete actions are necessary.
This briefing occurred just days before Bangladesh’s elections, where scholars, journalists, and community leaders expressed serious concerns regarding religious freedom and democratic governance.
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