٠٠:٠٢:١٩United States Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller called for 'calm and de-escalation' in Bangladesh during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday as violent clashes continue to erupt between police and protesters demonstrating against the government's job quota hiring system.
"We are closely following developments in Bangladesh. We continue to call for calm and de-escalation. We condemn all recent acts of violence in Bangladesh and reiterate our unwavering support for peaceful assembly," Miller said.
His statement comes as over 500 people were reportedly arrested and another 163 killed during the nationwide protests on Monday. The deadly protests prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to halt the student-led rallies.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the unrest. Meanwhile, student groups have rejected an offer of negotiations. Schools and universities in the country have also closed until further notice.
"We remain deeply concerned by reports of ongoing telecommunications disruptions across the country which limit the ability of people in Bangladesh, including American citizens, to access critical information," Miller added. "We call on the government to restore internet service. We condemn the reported 'shoot-on-site' orders that have been given and call for those to be rescinded."
Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week, although demonstrations are expected to continue.
On Friday, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories 'unlawful' and stipulated that it 'must be terminated completely and as rapidly as possible,' indicating that Israel is "under an obligation to end this illegal colonial enterprise unconditionally, immediately, and totally."
Miller reaffirmed the US's position, stating that Israel's 'support for settlements is inconsistent with international law' and 'runs contrary to the cause of peace.' However, the spokesperson also expressed concern over the High Court's advisory opinion.
"What we are concerned about is that parties will use the court's advice as a pretext for further unilateral actions that will just deepen divisions and make the cause of establishing an independent Palestinian state more difficult to achieve," he said.
The spokesperson also commented on a Houthi drone strike that killed one person and injured 10 others near the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on Friday. He shared that Israel's investigations regarding the 'the source of the explosion' and the drone's intended target are still ongoing.
US State Dept spox calls for 'calm and de-escalation' in Bangladesh, expresses concern over ICJ ruling on Israeli occupation in Palestine
United States Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller called for 'calm and de-escalation' in Bangladesh during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday as violent clashes continue to erupt between police and protesters demonstrating against the government's job quota hiring system.
"We are closely following developments in Bangladesh. We continue to call for calm and de-escalation. We condemn all recent acts of violence in Bangladesh and reiterate our unwavering support for peaceful assembly," Miller said.
His statement comes as over 500 people were reportedly arrested and another 163 killed during the nationwide protests on Monday. The deadly protests prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to halt the student-led rallies.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the unrest. Meanwhile, student groups have rejected an offer of negotiations. Schools and universities in the country have also closed until further notice.
"We remain deeply concerned by reports of ongoing telecommunications disruptions across the country which limit the ability of people in Bangladesh, including American citizens, to access critical information," Miller added. "We call on the government to restore internet service. We condemn the reported 'shoot-on-site' orders that have been given and call for those to be rescinded."
Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week, although demonstrations are expected to continue.
On Friday, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories 'unlawful' and stipulated that it 'must be terminated completely and as rapidly as possible,' indicating that Israel is "under an obligation to end this illegal colonial enterprise unconditionally, immediately, and totally."
Miller reaffirmed the US's position, stating that Israel's 'support for settlements is inconsistent with international law' and 'runs contrary to the cause of peace.' However, the spokesperson also expressed concern over the High Court's advisory opinion.
"What we are concerned about is that parties will use the court's advice as a pretext for further unilateral actions that will just deepen divisions and make the cause of establishing an independent Palestinian state more difficult to achieve," he said.
The spokesperson also commented on a Houthi drone strike that killed one person and injured 10 others near the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on Friday. He shared that Israel's investigations regarding the 'the source of the explosion' and the drone's intended target are still ongoing.
United States Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller called for 'calm and de-escalation' in Bangladesh during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday as violent clashes continue to erupt between police and protesters demonstrating against the government's job quota hiring system.
"We are closely following developments in Bangladesh. We continue to call for calm and de-escalation. We condemn all recent acts of violence in Bangladesh and reiterate our unwavering support for peaceful assembly," Miller said.
His statement comes as over 500 people were reportedly arrested and another 163 killed during the nationwide protests on Monday. The deadly protests prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to halt the student-led rallies.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the unrest. Meanwhile, student groups have rejected an offer of negotiations. Schools and universities in the country have also closed until further notice.
"We remain deeply concerned by reports of ongoing telecommunications disruptions across the country which limit the ability of people in Bangladesh, including American citizens, to access critical information," Miller added. "We call on the government to restore internet service. We condemn the reported 'shoot-on-site' orders that have been given and call for those to be rescinded."
Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week, although demonstrations are expected to continue.
On Friday, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories 'unlawful' and stipulated that it 'must be terminated completely and as rapidly as possible,' indicating that Israel is "under an obligation to end this illegal colonial enterprise unconditionally, immediately, and totally."
Miller reaffirmed the US's position, stating that Israel's 'support for settlements is inconsistent with international law' and 'runs contrary to the cause of peace.' However, the spokesperson also expressed concern over the High Court's advisory opinion.
"What we are concerned about is that parties will use the court's advice as a pretext for further unilateral actions that will just deepen divisions and make the cause of establishing an independent Palestinian state more difficult to achieve," he said.
The spokesperson also commented on a Houthi drone strike that killed one person and injured 10 others near the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on Friday. He shared that Israel's investigations regarding the 'the source of the explosion' and the drone's intended target are still ongoing.