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State Department welcomes PKK bid to disband and urges democratic processes in Bangladesh after party activity ban
Summary
Spokespeople welcomed an announcement by the Kurdistan Workers' Party about intent to disband and reiterated support for free, transparent elections in Bangladesh after the interim government banned activities of a major party.
The U.S. Department of State welcomed an announcement that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) intends to disband and said it hopes the move will lead to increased stability in the region. Tommy Pigott linked the development to the organization’s long record of armed conflict and noted the United States designated the PKK a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.
On Bangladesh, Pigott said the department was aware that the interim government had banned the Awami League from political activities pending a special tribunal. He said the United States does not support any one political party in Bangladesh, urged free and democratic processes, and called for respect for freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association for all.
Pigott expressed the department’s desire to deepen its partnership with the people of Bangladesh, remarking that the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship spans more than 50 years and that the department would continue work with the interim government while encouraging transparent legal processes.
The State Department reiterated long-standing U.S. positions supporting democratic processes and rule of law and flagged concern about political bans that could affect inclusivity in future elections.
