Washington, D.C. – U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel started a press briefing today with a straightforward questions-answers session without any introductory remarks.
State Department Press Briefing’s video Link : https://www.youtube.com/live/17dXcIZnr68?si=8MobBykMgrv57Ax5
Patel answered questions from various journalists on current global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the “U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy,” the Russia-North Korea security alliance, the Israel-Palestine war, and conflicts in the Middle East.
Dastagir Jahangir, Editor-in-Chief of The Voice, wanted to know the U.S. view on the recent actions preventing Awami League activists from organizing a rally in Dhaka on November 10th under the Yunus regime. He also mentioned Amnesty International’s concern about the recent political persecution in Bangladesh, where the interim government was restricted from holding peaceful rallies, especially given that Dr Yunus and his supporters have previously advocated for freedom of speech and assembly.
Vedant Patel responded, “We support the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association for all, including dissenting and opposition voices. These freedoms, in our point of view, are essential elements of any democracy. We routinely communicate that support to all our partners, including the interim government of Bangladesh, and upholding and protecting these freedoms for all Bangladeshis is necessary to ensure a true democratic future for the country.”
Dastagir’s follow-up question addressed the recent letter from the Committee to Protect Journalists to Professor Muhammad Yunus, urging him to protect press freedom as chief adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh. How does the State Department view the removal of press accreditation for 184 journalists, including the bureau chief of the Associated Press? What steps is the U.S. considering to address these restrictions on press freedom and to support the rights and safety of journalists in Bangladesh under these circumstances?
CPJ urges Bangladesh’s interim leader Yunus to protect press freedom
Patel also added, “I had not seen that report. Of course, if it’s true, it would be unfortunate. It is our strong point of view that an engaged, free press is vital to covering any situation, including, of course, the situation in Bangladesh. Press freedom and media freedom are important to the President and the Secretary, and we would encourage and want to ensure that the rights and freedoms of all journalists are being appropriately respected.”
Representatives from major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, A.P., AFP, BBC, and CNN, engaged in the briefing session.