H. Res. 1169 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

December 12, 2018. 

Whereas Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 and established a secular democratic state, which is home to 

Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and atheists; 

Whereas Bangladesh is the eighth most populous country 

with nearly 160,000,000 people; 

Whereas according to the United States Agency for International Development maternal and child mortality rates 

in Bangladesh have declined by more than 60 percent, 

production of rice has tripled, and growth in gross domestic product has averaged more than 6 percent annually for over a decade; 

Whereas Bangladesh has fulfilled the criteria to initiate graduation from the United Nations ‘‘Least Developed Country’’ status and could become a middle-income country 

within the next 3 years; 

Whereas in 2017, the generous people of Bangladesh welcomed more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees following 

the Burmese military and security force’s crimes against 

humanity and genocide against the Rohingya in Northern 

Rakhine State; 

Whereas in recent years, Bangladesh’s democratic system has 

faced challenges, including political violence, environ-
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mental strain, Islamist militancy, a refugee crisis, and 

challenges to freedom of speech and press; 

Whereas free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are the 

cornerstone of every democracy; 

Whereas legitimate elections that respect fundamental freedoms are characterized by transparency, accountability, 

security, and accessibility for all voters; 

Whereas strong democracies worldwide make for better trading partners, provide new market opportunities, improve 

global health outcomes, and promote economic freedom 

and regional security; 

Whereas attacks on democracy and democratic institutions 

undermine the sacrifices of the Bangladeshi people and 

the country’s commitment to human rights and the rule 

of law; 

Whereas one of Bangladesh’s main political parties boycotted 

the 2014 general election due to concerns about the impartiality of the electoral process; 

Whereas Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections on 

December 30, 2018; 

Whereas democratic stability, regional security, and economic 

prosperity in Bangladesh and South Asia are vital to the 

national security interests of the United States; 

Whereas the United States-Bangladesh relationship is built 

on a foundation of shared values and cooperation on 

issues including economic growth and development, labor 

rights, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and the environment and climate; 

Whereas the United States should more actively engage with 

the Government of Bangladesh with respect to their 
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shared interests in safeguarding human rights, religious 

freedom, and secular democracy in Bangladesh, while 

preventing the growth of religious extremism and militancy; and 

Whereas repeated attacks on religious minorities, expanding 

religious intolerance, and growing destabilization caused 

by radical groups undermine United States economic and 

strategic interests in Bangladesh: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) reaffirms the commitment of the United States 

to promote free, fair, transparent and credible elections 

in Bangladesh; 

(2) calls on the Government of Bangladesh to respect the freedom of speech and of the press and to heed 

the Bangladesh Election Commission’s request to ensure 

security for minorities and maintain communal harmony 

for a peaceful election; 

(3) urges political leaders and judicial authorities in 

Bangladesh to respect the will of voters and ensure that 

all Bangladeshis will be able to participate freely in the 

upcoming elections, and that the elections will be impartial and inclusive; and 

(4) commends the government and people of Bangladesh for their generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees 

despite the hardships associated with responding to this 

man-made humanitarian disaster created by the Burmese military and security force’s crimes against human-
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ity and genocide against the Rohingya in Northern 

Rakhine State. 

Attest: 

Clerk.