Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz has been quoted by NBC News in a report on Bangladesh. The report is about a Bangladeshi Ph.D. student studying in the United States whose mother has been arrested in Bangladesh after he criticized the country’s government in a Facebook post. The government claimed that she was arrested for engaging in anti-state activities. Riaz described the arrest as “persecution of families of the diaspora” and said that the government’s actions are legally, ethically, and morally unjustifiable.
“Innocent people are being harassed and persecuted,” Riaz said. “This single incident pretty much exemplifies what is going on in Bangladesh and what is coming as well.”
Riaz has also been quoted by Nikkei Asia in a report on Bangladeshi politics. The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) recently announced the list of domestic election observers, which has stirred debate in the country. According to press reports, nearly half of the 68 observers approved by the BEC are just “names” with no track record of monitoring elections or they have strong links to the ruling Awami League party, in clear violation of election laws.
“This action, along with others, is an indication that under the present circumstances, a free, fair, and acceptable election that would ensure the participation of the voters is not the objective of the government and the EC,” Riaz said.
Bangladesh is scheduled to have an election by January 2024, and oppositions are demanding that the election be held under a non-partisan caretaker government, a demand the ruling Sheikh Hasina government has rejected.
