15 foreign embassies in Dhaka want free, fair election in Bangladesh

A total of 15 foreign embassies and missions in Bangladesh have issued a joint statement on the upcoming Human Rights Day.

Foreign friends and partners of Bangladesh have reaffirmed the importance of "free, fair, inclusive and peaceful" electoral processes in line with the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"We support and promote democratic governance as a set of values and principles to follow for meaningful participation, equality, security, and inclusive human and economic development," according to a joint statement issued by foreign missions in Dhaka on Tuesday on the upcoming Human Rights Day.

The Missions are Australian High Commission, British High Commission, High Commission of Canada, Embassy of Denmark, Delegation of the European Union, Embassy of France, Embassy of Germany, Embassy of Italy, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland and Embassy of the United States.

"As we approach Human Rights Day on December 10, we would like to highlight the fundamental role democracy plays in protecting human rights and promoting development," the statement reads.

"We celebrate the freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirm the importance of all UN member states adhering to their commitments to free expression, peaceful assembly, and elections, among others outlined in the Declaration."