US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said she heard a "strong commitment" from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers during their meetings in Dhaka in support of free, fair and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.

"A prosperous future depends on strong democratic institutions, and the broad participation of Bangladeshis in elections and the governance of their country," she told reporters after her meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at the State Guest House Padma.

The United States looks forward to continued collaboration supportive to an inclusive and democratic Bangladesh, in which all Bangladeshis can thrive, said the Under Secretary. Responding to a question, she said the timetable of the election is something for Bangladesh to decide.

The Under Secretary said the United States, as part of their global human rights policy, supports "free, fair and peaceful" elections and they want to do their part as a longtime partner of Bangladesh to help make this possible.

"We had constructive, productive and engaging discussions. And I would say yesterday, we witnessed large political rallies that were, thankfully, free of serious violence," she said.

They discussed the need for free and fair elections, the ability of journalists to report without fear of retaliation or intimidation, collaboration to combat trafficking in persons, and the vital role that civil society plays in democracies advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and association.

The senior US diplomat said she came here in recognition of the importance of their partnership with Bangladesh and to underscore the US desire to deepen that partnership in support of their vision of a free and open Indo Pacific that is more resilient, more connected, more secure and more prosperous.

Zeya said her country announced the new visa policy to supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's commitment to hold free, fair and neutral elections. She made the statement while calling on the prime minister at her official residence Ganabhaban, PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters in a briefing.

"We do not have any bias towards any party, we want a neutral, free and fair election," Zeya was quoted as telling the PM.

PM Hasina said that it is her commitment to hold free and fair election in the country. "We always fought for free and fair election in the country, we already have held free and fair election," she said.

She mentioned that Awami League always fought for the rights of the people. "We always fight for people's right to choose their representatives," she said.

She also mentioned that it was the BNP who started vote rigging in the country. In this connection, she said that transparent ballot boxes have been introduced for polls.

Hasina recalled the atrocities, terrorism activities and arson attacks of BNP and their allies during 2013-15 that left 500 people killed. She also mentioned the grenade attack on her rally in Dhaka on August 21 in 2004 that left 24 people killed and over 500 injured. She said she was saved by Awami League leaders and activists who formed a human shield after the attack during BNP-Jamaat rule.

Zeya told the PM that she visited Rohingya camps and talked to the displaced people from Myanmar.

She put emphasis on strengthening coordinated international efforts to ensure reparation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar. She mentioned that the US will provide some USD 74 million for the operational cost in Rohingya camps.

PM Hasina said that human trafficking and anti-social activities are going on in these camps which are very much alarming for the country's security.

Zeya said that her country will cooperate with Bangladesh for its financial and economic development. She said that the US will help and work together with Bangladesh in the labour reforms initiative. In this connection, Hasina said that she personally pushed the owners of industries to enhance the wages and other facilities for the workers at various times.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Bangladesh Ambassador to United States Mohammad Imran, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and US Ambassador Peter Haas were present.

Maintaining pressure on Myanmar

The United States said it is "maintaining pressure" on Myanmar's military regime to end the crisis and create conditions for the eventual voluntary return of Rohingya to their homeland in a manner that is safe, dignified, informed, and sustainable. Uzra Zeya during her meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed the issue along with other bilateral issues.

They discussed the strong and growing partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, including coordination on issues from humanitarian assistance to gender equality.

They spoke about efforts to advance a prosperous future built on strong democratic institutions, including free and fair elections; the vital role of civil society and independent media; promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association and labour rights, according to the US Embassy in Dhaka.

"The United States appreciates Bangladesh's generosity towards Rohingya refugees and looks forward to free and fair elections anchoring a thriving democratic future for the Bangladeshi people," Zeya tweeted after her meeting with Prime Minister Hasina.

The Under Secretary and Prime Minister also discussed Bangladesh's generous hosting of Rohingya refugees and the continued need for support from the global community. The United States is proud to have provided more than $2.1 billion in humanitarian assistance to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and the region since August 2017.

The Under Secretary also shared that the United States is providing more than $74 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support the ongoing response efforts in Myanmar and Bangladesh, including nearly $61 million to support Rohingya internally displaced in Myanmar, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and their host communities, including in Bangladesh, while urging continued support by other donors and potential donors.

Given declining donor support and rising camp insecurity, the United States strongly encouraged the government of Bangladesh to expand livelihood opportunities for Rohingya refugees. Zeya urged worldwide partners' assistance for the nearly over 1.1 million Rohingyas who fled genocide.

During her visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, Under Secretary Zeya had an "important conversation" with RRRC Mizanur Rahman.

"I thanked him for RRRC's support to Rohingya refugees and his efforts to ensure U.S. humanitarian aid advances safe and dignified conditions for Rohingya," she tweeted.

Before departing on Friday, she was scheduled to have dinner with PM's Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman apart from some other engagements, according to diplomatic sources.

The US Under Secretary had meetings with Law Minister Anisul Haq and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan before her meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday afternoon.

"Thrilled to be in Bangladesh. Thanks for the warm welcome," Under Secretary Zeya tweeted after her arrival in Dhaka on Tuesday evening (July 11).

Zeya leads global diplomatic efforts to strengthen democracy, advance universal human rights, support refugees and humanitarian relief, promote rule of law and counternarcotics cooperation, fight corruption and intolerance, prevent armed conflict, and eliminate human trafficking. US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID Änjali Kaur were also part of the delegation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.