More visa restrictions may come: Bryan Schiller

In May this year, the United States announced a new visa policy aimed at free, fair and peaceful national elections in Bangladesh.

On September 22, a statement of the US Department of State said it is taking steps to impose the visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

The United States is observing all situations ahead of the 12th national elections. The US government may impose further visa restrictions in Bangladesh if it is necessary, Bryan Schiller, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dhaka, said this to a newspaper.

However, he emphasized that the names and exact numbers of those facing these restrictions would not be disclosed.

The visa restriction policy, known as ‘3c’, empowers the US government to impose these restrictions on any individual found to be interfering with democratic elections, as per Bryan Schiller's explanation. This broad scope extends to virtually anyone involved in activities detrimental to the electoral process.

However, the US government remains steadfast in its decision to keep the identities and quantities of individuals subject to these restrictions confidential.These individuals include members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition.

Additional persons found to have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh may also be found ineligible for US visas under this policy in the future.

This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services.