The Honorable Peter D. Haas
Ambassador of the United States of America in Bangladesh
Madani Avenue
Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh
February 7, 2023
Dear Ambassador Haas,
The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh (CHRD Bangladesh) greatly appreciates your views on Human Rights and Democracy in your keynote speech at the Panel Discussion for “Online Freedom and Business Investment in Bangladesh” in Dhaka on February 5, 2023.
It was heartening to note that you had clearly expressed the views of the United States on the proposed Data Protection Act (DPA) of Bangladesh, designed to thwart the free flow of information, as well as to serve the vested interests of the autocratic administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Your Excellency, you had very rightly pointed out that “development and security cannot be elevated above democracy and human rights.” CHRD Bangladesh considers this a stark hint at the Hasina regime’s deplorable records on human rights and democracy since 2009 and its faulty but oft-quoted selling point of “Development over Democracy.” You had warned that unless the DPA was brought to international standards, many U.S. and other external businesses might close their operations in Bangladesh.
You are also aware that, in addition to the draconian Digital Security Act to control the freedom of expression, the regime has recently blocked 191 websites on the vague and flimsy ground of “anti-state news.” (You may kindly refer to our statement which had also been forwarded to your office: Statement on the Blocking of 191 Websites in Bangladesh | ChrdBangladesh).
The CHRD Bangladesh sincerely hopes that the concerns raised by you, in addition to your earlier pointers at election integrity, sink deep in the abusive Bangladesh administration that the people call “illegal” because of its hold in authority through repeated elections frauds.
The CHRD Bangladesh also takes the opportunity to express its gratitude for your continued sincere efforts in improving the state of human rights and democracy, as well as arranging a credible and participatory election under a neutral authority in Bangladesh. Your Excellency may appreciate that the recent by-elections clearly demonstrate that fair elections under the ruling Hasina administration is a simple impossibility.
Sincerely,
The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh