US watching Bangladesh situation very closely

Risingbd Desk: The United States is watching Bangladesh situation very closely following the recent murders of LGBT advocates and other folks.

John Kirby, a spokesperson of the Department of State came up with the disclosure at the daily press briefing on Monday.

The US spokesperson says their focus would remain on urging the Bangladesh government to provide “a more secure environment for all of its citizens”.

"I would say that our focus remains on urging the Government of Bangladesh to provide a more secure environment for all of its citizens, one that nurtures the spirit of the people of Bangladesh and the pride with which they guard their own traditions of tolerance, peace, and diversity", he said.

John Kirby said that US has raised concerns over recent killings of secular writers, online activists and liberal publishers in Bangladesh.

LGBT rights activist Xulhaz Mannan and his friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy were the latest victims of these radical assailants.

The Islamic State (IS) and al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) have reportedly claimed responsibility for the killings.

The Bangladesh government, however, denies existence of IS or AQIS in the country and describes the killings as being masterminded by ‘home-grown Islamist radicals’.

Earlier on Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urging her to ensure thorough investigation of all these incidents, specially the hackings of the LGBT advocates and other folks.

“We’re going to continue to do that, and I don’t have more specific initiatives to lay before you, but I can tell you we’re watching this very closely and we are in touch," the spokesperson said replying to a question.

risingbd/DHAKA/May 3, 2016/Augustin Sujan