IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1215 
Expressing support for Bangladesh’s return to democracy. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 24, 2010 
Mr. CROWLEY (for himself and Mr. ROYCE) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for Bangladesh’s return to democracy. 
Whereas March 26 is the anniversary of Bangladesh’s inde-
pendence; 
Whereas the Constitution of Bangladesh, ratified in 1972 fol-
lowing 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 stable, moderate, 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 care-
taker government before the January 22, 2007, sched-
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•HRES 1215 IH 
uled election and the caretaker government subsequently 
imposed a state of emergency on January 11, 2007; 
Whereas the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolu-
tion in September 2008 calling for the return of democ-
racy in Bangladesh; 
Whereas the caretaker government of Bangladesh returned 
the country to democracy through an election held on De-
cember 29, 2008; 
Whereas the December 29, 2008, election was monitored by 
numerous international election observers that declared 
the election credible; 
Whereas the U.S. State Department welcomed ‘‘the success 
of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections’’ and congratu-
lated 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 U.S. Agency for International Development re-
ports that 49 percent of Bangladeshis live below the pov-
erty 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 
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•HRES 1215 IH 
Whereas Bangladesh’s long-term political stability and eco-
nomic 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; 
(2) encourages the strengthening and consolida-
tion 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 cor-
ruption; 
(7) urges the President to coordinate with Ban-
gladesh on matters pertaining to security, economic 
progress, and human rights in South Asia; and 
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