The United States has condemned as contemptible a string of bomb attacks in Bangladesh following the worst bomb blast in the nation's history this weekend at a political meeting.
The United States condemns the bombing incidents that have occurred in Bangladesh this year, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher on Monday said noting political violence has plagued Bangladesh for too long. These contemptible attacks have targeted political meetings, the celebration of Bengali New Year and a religious service, He said. There can be no justification for such senseless violence.
Boucher decried ongoing political violence in Bangladesh and urged the government to investigate thoroughly all the attacks and prosecute the perpetrators so the country's people can enjoy fully their civil and political rights, particularly voting in upcoming elections.
The people of Bangladesh deserve the opportunity to vote freely in elections this fall and express political opinions without the threat of violence from any quarter, He said.
The statement was released following Saturday's bombing of a political party office in the port city of Narayanganj that killed 22 people and left at least 100 people injured.
The blast brought the total killed in 11 major bomb explosions in Bangladesh since 1999 to at least 81 people, with 400 injured.
Bureau Report