America urges Bangladesh to respect religious freedom
Press Trust of India Posted online: Friday, November 30, 2001 at 1153 hours IST Updated: , hours IST
Washington, November 30: The United States has urged Bangladesh to respect religious rights and human rights and practise tolerance. Replying to questions over minority Hindus recently coming "under attack" in Bangladesh, the US State Department Deputy Spokesman Philip Reeker said: "I am not aware of the particular situation there in recent weeks... I think we have been clear in our calls... for tolerance, for respect for human rights, respect for religious freedoms and the norms that that contains.”
"And I think that it's important for Bangladesh to pursue those aspects of a democracy so that they can move ahead too and deal with the problems they have—the need for economic development and reform," Reeker added.
He said the US will continue to make its views clear and continue dialogue with Bangladesh on a variety of issues in bilateral relationship.
