Foreign diplomats fear relapse into instability

Foreign diplomats based in Dhaka have expressed concern over political violence during the current campaigning for city corporation polls and feared that it may create a situation of conflict and instability again, as in the past three months.
Fed up with frequent political violence and intimidation, the diplomatic missions are worried about further escalation of violence following attacks on opposition BNP's current campaigning for the April 28 city corporation polls in Dhaka and Chittagong.
They said the UN and various influential countries were encouraged by the opposition BNP's decision to participate in the city elections as they got engaged in the political process, leaving the three-month long violence and intimidation, which apparently restored peace in the country.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, several foreign diplomats feared that the attacks on BNP's election rallies by the ruling party activists might disrupt the way to overcome the ongoing political crisis.
They said the foreign diplomats, who worked in the last three months (January to March) for de-escalation of political conflict, welcomed the government and opposition for holding city polls and participation by BNP.
However, they expressed their surprises to see TV and press reports of attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's election campaign at Karwanbazar on Monday.
The foreign diplomats stressed an immediate stop to such attacks and called on the Election Commission and administration to play their responsible roles so that no such political attacks or violence repeat in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the United States and United Kingdom have expressed concern on violent incidents that have occurred during the campaigning for city polls.
In a press statement yesterday, the US deplored the political violence surrounding the elections in Dhaka, and called on all involved to uphold their responsibility to ensure the elections are free, fair, and non-violent.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence for political objectives," read the statement available on the US Embassy Dhaka's Facebook page. 
The US also urged the security forces to permit free expression and association during the election campaign, to protect candidates against political violence, and to prosecute those who violate the law. In a separate statement, British High Commissioner Robert W Gibson expressed concern at reports of violence during campaigning.
He stressed that it was the responsibility of all political parties, as well as the law enforcement and election authorities, to ensure that the campaign is conducted without violence or intimidation.