FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

November 24, 2008    

Contact: Judith Ingram

Communications Director

(202) 523-3240, ext. 127

SAVE THE DATE – Public Hearing  
Thursday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2325 
 

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is holding a public hearing to focus attention on Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections. Bangladesh’s last national elections, in October 2001, were followed by numerous reports of violence against members of religious minority communities, particularly Hindus.  Elections previously scheduled for January 2007 were postponed amid allegations that they would not be free and fair.  Since January 2007, Bangladesh has been administered by a military-backed caretaker government, a state of emergency has restricted political rights, and there have been serious human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings and torture.

 This hearing will explore the prospects for free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, the development of a stable democracy, the threat to democratic values posed by religious extremism, and strategies for the U.S. government to promote democracy and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.

Confirmed witnesses include:

• Hon. James F. Moriarty, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh
• Dr. Shapan Adnan, National University of Singapore
• Sara Hossain, Esq., Kamal Hossain & Associates
• Peter Manikas, Regional Director for Asia Programs, National Democratic Institute
• Dr. Ali Riaz, Illinois State University
• Asif Saleh, Founder and Executive Director, Drishtipat
• Kimber Shearer, Deputy Director for Asia Programs, International Republican Institute

 RSVP:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (202)/523-3240, ext. 112