Bangladesh expressed extreme disappointment over the US State Department’s unsubstantiated claim of deaths of at least two protesters and said such ‘baseless claim’ could fuel the violence and undermine the government’s efforts.

‘Use of unverified information to make such baseless claims can fuel violence and undermine Bangladesh government’s efforts to maintain a peaceful environment to allow non-violent protests or movement,’ said spokesperson at foreign affairs ministry Seheli Sabrin.

She said the foreign ministry was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the response of Mathew Miller, spokesperson of the US State Department, to a question during a regular press briefing on July 15, 2024 (Washington time), where he made unsubstantiated claims of at least two deaths in the ongoing student protests in Bangladesh.

The foreign ministry spokesperson said freedom of expression and peaceful assembly were cornerstones of democracy, and the government remained steadfast in upholding those rights of the citizens while also safeguarding public property and order.

She said violence had no place in democracy and politics.

‘We have recently witnessed with horror an attempt on the life of former US President Donald Trump during a peaceful rally in Pennsylvania, USA,’ Sabrin said.

She said they were ‘deeply concerned’ by the incident and such violence ran against the core values of democracy.

‘The prime minister and the foreign minister of Bangladesh have separately condemned the attack and sighed relief learning that Trump was safe and recovering,’ she said.

To uphold democracy and democratic values, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they were committed to working together with the US.

When specific information on the State Department’s claim was sought from the US embassy in Dhaka, its acting spokesperson Leonard Hill told UNB this morning that the statement was ‘monitoring reports’ that included the injuries and deaths.

‘We are always looking for the most accurate information and welcome journalists’ work to uncover the truth,’ he said.