Bangladesh: Ban calls for halt to violence following clashes in Dhaka

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all parties in Bangladesh to put a stop to the violence, following clashes in the capital, Dhaka, over the past two days.

“The Secretary-General has been following the recent wave of violence in Bangladesh with increasing concern and is saddened by the loss of life, including during the events that unfolded in Dhaka throughout Sunday and into Monday,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General calls on all concerned to stop the violence, to respect the law and to express their views peacefully.”

According to media reports, more than 30 people have died and 60 had been injured in clashes between police and protesters in the capital.

Mr. Ban also urged political and religious leaders to “engage in constructive dialogue and help defuse the tensions.”

The clashes come just over a week after a garment factory building collapsed in the outskirts of Dhaka, killing more than 650 people.