H. Res. 1169 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
December 12, 2018. 
Whereas Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 and es-
tablished 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 Inter-
national Development maternal and child mortality rates 
in Bangladesh have declined by more than 60 percent, 
production of rice has tripled, and growth in gross do-
mestic product has averaged more than 6 percent annu-
ally for over a decade; 
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-
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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 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; 
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
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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 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 credible elections 
in Bangladesh; 
(2) calls on the Government of Bangladesh to re-
spect 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 impar-
tial and inclusive; and 
(4) commends the government and people of Ban-
gladesh for their generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees 
despite the hardships associated with responding to this 
man-made humanitarian disaster created by the Bur-
mese military and security force’s crimes against human-
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ity and genocide against the Rohingya in Northern 
Rakhine State. 
Attest: 
Clerk.