Bangladesh politician criticizes Antony Blinken’s recently announced US visa policy

On May 24, 2023, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an announcement through a press release regarding a new visa policy that has sparked controversy and raised concerns among politicians and citizens in Bangladesh. The policy, implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) ("3C") of the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically targets politicians, judges, civil-military officials, and members of law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh.

In the press release, Secretary Blinken stated that the new visa policy is aimed at supporting Bangladesh's goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections. Under this policy, the United States will have the ability to restrict the issuance of visas to any Bangladeshi individual believed to be responsible for or complicit in undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh. This includes current and former officials, members of political parties (both pro-government and opposition), as well as law enforcement, judiciary, and security service personnel.

The announcement of this new visa policy has generated confusion and uncertainty among the people of Bangladesh. Some experts and citizens have referred to it as a "blanket restriction" imposed on Bangladeshi citizens, raising questions about its fairness and potential consequences for bilateral relations between the United States and Bangladesh.

Shahidur Rahman Tapa, a prominent opposition politician and Presidium Member of the Jatiya Party, expressed his disappointment with the sudden implementation of the new visa policy. In a statement, he remarked, "Given the cordial and warm relationship between Washington and Dhaka, it is unfortunate that the Biden administration abruptly announced a new visa policy for Bangladeshi citizens. This has created doubts in people's minds about the true intentions of the Biden administration. If this policy is aimed at pressuring Bangladesh to align exclusively with the United States while distancing itself from India and China, it will ultimately jeopardize the existing friendly relations between Dhaka and Washington."

Shahidur Rahman Tapa emphasized that Bangladesh is a sovereign nation and should not allow any foreign country to assume a superior position or dictate its policies. He argued that while maintaining friendly relations with the United States is important, it should not come at the cost of sacrificing relations with other nations, particularly neighboring countries like India and China.

Tapa further questioned the rationale behind targeting a specific group of individuals, including politicians and law enforcement officials, and raised concerns about potential biases and unintended consequences of the visa policy.

The implementation of the new visa policy has prompted discussions among politicians and experts in Bangladesh. Some argue that it infringes upon the sovereignty of the nation and interferes with its internal affairs. Others believe that the policy reflects the United States' genuine concerns about democratic processes and human rights in Bangladesh, as well as its desire to support fair and transparent elections.

Critics of the policy highlight that Bangladesh has made significant progress in recent years in terms of democratic reforms and improving its electoral system. They argue that singling out Bangladeshi politicians and officials could undermine the progress made and create tensions between the two countries. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential negative impact on the relationship between the people of Bangladesh and the United States, including restrictions on academic exchanges, cultural events, and people-to-people interactions.

Proponents of the policy argue that it is a necessary step to ensure the integrity of the democratic process in Bangladesh. They contend that there have been instances of election-related violence, corruption, and human rights abuses in the country, and that the United States has a legitimate interest in preventing individuals involved in such activities from entering the country.

The controversy surrounding the new visa policy underscores the complexities of balancing national interests, sovereignty, and the promotion of democratic values in international relations. It highlights the challenges faced by both the United States and Bangladesh in navigating their respective priorities and maintaining strong bilateral ties.

Moving forward, it is crucial for both countries to engage in open and constructive dialogue to address concerns and find common ground. This includes clarifying the objectives and scope of the visa policy, as well as exploring avenues for cooperation in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and ensuring fair and transparent elections.

Ultimately, the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh should be built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to democratic values. It is essential to strike a balance between supporting democratic processes and preserving the sovereignty and dignity of nations. Only through such an approach can both countries work together to address challenges and advance their bilateral relations in a manner that benefits the people of Bangladesh and upholds the principles of democracy and human rights.

Jatiya Party presidium member Shahidur Rahman Tapa is a popular name in Bangladesh and he regularly appears on the local television channel talk shows discussing national, regional and international issues. He also is an author who has recently written a book on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. During his political career, Shahidur Rahman Tapa has been emphasizing on Bangladesh’s further deepening cordial relations with India and China, while he said, “United States should not jeopardize its existing good relationship with Bangladesh through Mr. Blinken’s recently announced visa policy. As a freedom fighter I can say, we surely give value to our existing relations with every country in the world, including the US, But we definitely are not going to accept when any foreign country interferes into Bangladesh’s domestic politics and makes any attempt of undermining our sovereignty.

Shahidur Rahman Tapa also is vocal against rise of religious extremism in Bangladesh.

Jennifer Hicks is currently pursuing postgraduate PhD on ‘Political factors in the South Asian nations’.