TALKS WITH US DELEGATES

Polls, labour rights may figure high

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT

The high-level US delegation visit, slated for July 11-14, may feature discussions on the upcoming election, human rights, labour, Rohingya and trade issues, according to foreign ministry officials.

Uzra Zeya, under secretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, will lead the delegation that also includes Donald Lu, US assistant secretary for South and Central Asia Bureau, and Anjali Kaur, USAID deputy assistant administrator.

At a press briefing at the foreign ministry yesterday, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said, “I have no such knowledge that the delegation’s visit will be specifically to discuss election related issues. It [the visit] is a continuation of our engagement with the US, and election may be one of the issues to be discussed, along with those of human rights, labour, Rohingyas and trade.”

He said the relationship between the US and Bangladesh has many different aspects. “We will discuss many issues. I am not ruling out the election. That may also come up.”

Diplomatic sources said the next general election and labour rights issues may figure prominently in the discussions during the visit.

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