Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson of US, made this statement, the US’s response to the monk’s arrest on sedition charges and his inability to locate “a willing lawyer” in Bangladesh.
He said that Bangladesh should ensure legal representation for all detainees. It’s a fundamental right of every person. He pointed to the case proceedings on Chinmoy Das. He was arrested, jailed and at the time of defence in the court, his lawyer was brutally attacked. As a result, now Das’s bail hearing in a Chittagong court on Tuesday was adjourned by a month as he didn’t have counsel.
According to Patel, his opinion was “consistent with” what the US demanded of all governments. “There needs to be respect for fundamental freedoms, respect for religious freedom and basic human rights,” he stated.
