The United States Government has announced a new visa policy under the Section 212(a)(3)(C) (“3C”) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken who disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday, said the United States already notified the Bangladeshi government of this decision on May 3, 2023.
According to him, “Under this policy, the United States will be able to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
“This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services”, Blinken added.
He stressed the actions that undermine the democratic election process include vote rigging, voter intimidation, the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their right to freedoms of association
“And peaceful assembly, and the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views”, the Secretary said.
Blinken emphasized that holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone—voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media. “I am announcing this policy to lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh”, he said.
Bangladeshi State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Md Shahriar Alam said yesterday that the new visa policy announced by the US government “does not bother” the government as authorities are “committed” to holding a free and fair election.
“It’s not a sanction. BNP should be worried as violence before or during election is another criterion that will trigger visa restriction,” he told UNB in a quick response when his reaction was sought.