Persecution of minorities in Bangladesh worrisome: US Dept of State spokeswoman MacLeod

Locals hold a protest against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, at Bhopal on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

The persecution of minorities in Bangladesh is "worrisome" and there is need for dialogue between all stakeholders so that every person can live freely according to their religion and beliefs, United States (US) Department of State spokeswoman Margaret MacLeod said on Thursday, according to news agency PTI.

Following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina regime in Bangladesh on August 5, the country has been in turmoil, resulting in attacks on the Hindu minority as well as destruction of their property and places of worship.

"Right now, we are treating the news coming in from Bangladesh with concern. We are closely monitoring the situation," she said when asked about persecution of minorities in that country, stated PTI.

"We expect that everyone in the entire region should get freedom to live according to his religion and belief. We express our concern in discussions with all our partners, including the interim government of Bangladesh," said MacLeod, who is the US department's Hindi and Urdu spokesperson and Deputy Director of London International Media Hub.

In a reply to another query, MacLeod said the US was helping the "brave" people of Ukraine against Russia, which is waging an "aggressive war" ignoring the basic principles of the United Nations on sovereignty, independence and land borders of nations.

According to PTI, the US spokeswoman said the people of Ukraine should have full say in deciding their future in the wake of war.

Speaking about the Israel-Hamas conflict in West Asia, MacLeod said the US is advocating for increasing humanitarian aid in the war-torn region during talks with its partners in Israel.

"The crossings [in the war-torn area] should be opened so that the needs of the common people can be met. The winter is about to set in, and the danger of shortage of basic necessities is looming. Therefore, humanitarian aid should be made available to the people," she stated.

MacLeod was on a two-day visit to Indore along with Greg Pardo, the spokesperson of the US Consulate General in Mumbai.

"I saw it myself that the people of Indore feel very proud for having the cleanliness tag under their belt," she said.

Indore has been ranked the country's cleanest city in the Centre's Swachh Survekshan several times in a row.

(With PTI inputs)