•HRES 1169 IH 
Whereas Bangladesh has fulfilled the criteria to initiate grad-
uation from the United Nations ‘‘Least Developed Coun-
try’’ status and could become a middle-income country 
within the next 3 years; 
Whereas in 2017, the generous people of Bangladesh wel-
comed 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-
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 free-
doms are characterized by transparency, accountability, 
security, and accessibility for all voters; 
Whereas strong democracies worldwide make for better trad-
ing 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 im-
partiality of the electoral process; 
Whereas Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections on 
December 30, 2018; 
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•HRES 1169 IH 
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 environ-
ment and climate; 
Whereas the United States should more actively engage with 
the Government of Bangladesh with respect to their 
shared interests in safeguarding human rights, religious 
freedom, and secular democracy in Bangladesh, while 
preventing the growth of religious extremism and mili-
tancy; 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 cred-
ible 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 re-
quest to ensure security for minorities and maintain 
communal harmony for a peaceful election; 
(3) urges political leaders and judicial authori-
ties in Bangladesh to respect the will of voters and 
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•HRES 1169 IH 
ensure that all Bangladeshis will be able to partici-
pate 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 re-
sponding to this man-made humanitarian disaster 
created by the Burmese military and security force’s 
crimes against humanity and genocide against the 
Rohingya in Northern Rakhine State. 
Æ 
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