H. Res. 1215 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 25, 2010. 

Whereas March 26 is the anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence; 

Whereas the Constitution of Bangladesh, ratified in 1972 following a war of independence, established a democracy 

ruled by and for the people of Bangladesh; 

Whereas Bangladesh has a population of approximately 

160,000,000 people, is the world’s fourth most populated 

Muslim country, and is a moderate and democratic Muslim nation; 

Whereas before elections in December 2008, Bangladesh held 

what the international community viewed as three free 

and fair elections in 1991, 1996, and 2001, respectively; 

Whereas in October 2006, power was handed over to a caretaker government before the January 22, 2007, scheduled election and the caretaker government subsequently 

imposed a state of emergency on January 11, 2007; 

Whereas the United States House of Representatives passed 

a resolution in September 2008 calling for the return of 

democracy in Bangladesh; 

Whereas the caretaker government of Bangladesh returned 

the country to democracy through an election held on December 29, 2008; 
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Whereas the December 29, 2008, election was monitored by 

numerous international election observers that declared 

the election credible; 

Whereas the United States Department of State welcomed 

‘‘the success of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections’’ 

and congratulated the ‘‘Bangladesh Election Commission 

and the thousands of government officials involved in organizing this successful election’’; 

Whereas the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister 

Sheikh Hasina Wajed, won over two-thirds of the 300 

seats in Parliament and formed a new government in 

January 2009; 

Whereas President Barack Obama awarded Muhammad 

Yunus the Presidential Medal of Freedom in August 

2009; 

Whereas the United States Agency for International Development reports that 49 percent of Bangladeshis live below 

the poverty line; 

Whereas Bangladesh’s economy grew at an estimated rate of 

5.7 percent in 2009; 

Whereas the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh has 

commenced serious efforts to address corruption; and 

Whereas Bangladesh’s long-term political stability and economic progress are critical to the security of the South 

Asian region: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) expresses its strong support for the people of 

Bangladesh; 
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(2) encourages the strengthening and consolidation 

of democracy in Bangladesh one year after the election; 

(3) urges the Government of Bangladesh to work 

together with all political leaders to continue and deepen 

reconciliation; 

(4) appreciates the Government of Bangladesh for 

making progress in meeting the selection criteria of the 

Millennium Challenge Corporation; 

(5) urges the Government of Bangladesh to protect 

the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, including the Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, 

Ahmadis, and non-Muslim tribal peoples; 

(6) urges the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh to continue its efforts to eradicate corruption; 

(7) urges the Secretary of State to coordinate with 

Bangladesh on matters pertaining to security, economic 

progress, and human rights in South Asia; and 

(8) encourages the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to continue supporting the build-
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ing of a strong civil society and eradicating poverty in 

Bangladesh. 

Attest: 

Clerk.