Many ruling party leaders, govt officials reportedly subject to US visa restrictions: BNP

Many responsible leaders of the ruling Awami League – along with government officials, including secretaries – are reportedly subject to US-announced visa restrictions, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said today.

"Why would such restrictions be imposed on Bangladesh? Why did they do it? Because there is no democracy, no voting rights, no human rights existing in Bangladesh," said Shamsuzzaman Dudu, addressing a protest rally outside the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday (23 September).

Bangladesh Nagorik Odhikar Andolon organised the rally, demanding Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad and the release of party leaders, including Amanullah Aman, Salauddin Ahmed, Rafiqul Alam Majnu, and Tanveer Ahmed Rabin.

Shamsuzzaman Dudu said, "The country is now 52 years old. In all these years, our achievement is America's sanctions and visa restrictions. America had earlier imposed sanctions and now started imposing visa restrictions. This is not good news."

"You [the government] have not seen what a movement can be. October will be the month of the fall of tyrants, the month of freedom, and the month of human rights. All debts with this government will be settled this October," the BNP leader said.