Ensure all detainees get legal help: US to Bangladesh on jailed Hindu monk

DHAKA: Bangladesh must ensure "appropriate" legal representation for all detainees in keeping with basic human rights principles, a US state department spokesperson said in Washington, hours after arrested Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari's bail hearing in a Chittagong court on Tuesday was adjourned by a month as he didn't have a counsel.

Principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said this after a reporter wanted to know US's response on the monk, who has been charged with sedition, not finding "a willing lawyer" in Bangladesh to represent him since being arrested and jailed.

Patel said his view was "consistent with" what US expected of every government. "There needs to be respect for fundamental freedoms, respect for religious freedom and basic human rights," he said.

Yunus seeks ‘national unity’ amid outrage over Hindu monk’s arrest

Vedant Patel said any kind of protest “needs to be peaceful” and that, during any crackdown, governments must respect the rule of law and uphold basic human rights. “And that’s something we will continue to emphasise.”

In Dhaka, the interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus issued an invitation to Indian journalists to investigate allegations about persecution of Hindus and report the reality. “We are working to explain this to the Indian government and counter the misinformation,” he said. This was after his meeting Wednesday with members of all parties, barring ousted Awami League, to seek “national unity” amid growing outrage over Chinmoy Krishna’s arrest and reports of atrocities on Hindus and other minorities.

Yunus advised politicians to steer clear of attempts at “provocation”, dismissing reports of continuing attacks on Hindus as “propaganda”. He said it was imperative to inform the world that “Bangladesh remains united and is resilient against any fabricated narratives from abroad”. Yunus has convened another meeting Thursday with religious leaders.