The United States has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for all arrested individuals.

“We will continue to engage with the Bangladesh government to advance that point of view,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular briefing in Washington on Tuesday.

The US also called on the Bangladesh government to allow opposition members, media professionals and civil society representatives to participate meaningfully in the country’s democratic process and civic life.

Though international observers described the January 7 election in Bangladesh as “free and fair,” the US State Department spokesperson said they did not find the national polls to be free and fair.

The US also expressed concerns over the arrest of political opposition members in the run-up to those elections.

Miller said US will continue to engage with the Bangladesh government to advance democratic principles, which are key to ensuring peace and prosperity for all Bangladeshis.