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A recent briefing at the US Congress has flagged serious concerns about Bangladesh’s political future. Speakers said the country is nearing a decisive moment as national elections scheduled for February 12 draw closer.
Speakers highlighted weakening democratic norms and increasing insecurity among religious minorities.
The event was organised by HinduAction and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). It was held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington.
The briefing brought together scholars, journalists, and community representatives to discuss governance, electoral integrity, and religious freedom.
Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said, “When it comes to Islamist parties, like in Bangladesh’s case, like Jamaat Islami, they engage in incitement because they want to use religion to avoid accountability.”
“Once tolerance is lost, it’s extremely difficult to win it back,” Rubin added.
Rubin warned that intolerance, once entrenched, is difficult to reverse. He said Bangladesh is steadily moving towards being classified as a country of particular concern for religious freedom, a trend he believes should worry policymakers in Washington regardless of political affiliation.
Given Bangladesh’s demographic and economic significance, he described, “Bangladesh is one of the most significant countries in terms of population and economy. I would argue that it is very much the barometer for South Asia.”
Criticising past US responses, Rubin said successive administrations have tended to react to crises rather than anticipate them. He also criticised diplomatic language that avoids identifying those responsible for political violence.
Additionally, he argued that such wording can obscure accountability and weaken the gravity of terrorism.
During the discussion, Rubin said that Jamaat-e-Islami should not be regarded as a conventional political party. He argued that its ideology and actions place it outside the democratic mainstream.
Nazarian Calls Election a Global Security Issue
Adelle Nazarian, a journalist and geopolitical analyst, said, “This election is not merely a domestic Bangladeshi contest. It is a regional and global security event.”
Nazarian noted, “When a major party is excluded from the electoral process, the message sent to society is simple and dangerous. Power is decided by force, not legitimacy.”
Nazarian urged US leaders, “The United States should state unequivocally that a credible election requires political inclusion, a free press and equal protection under law. International observers are a non-negotiable.”
She concluded that meaningful consequences must accompany diplomatic statements, stressing that commitment is measured by action as much as rhetoric.
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