The US has welcomed the interim government's announcement of holding the national election between late 2025 and mid-2026, and said it will monitor the timing.

"We welcome the steps that have been taken by this interim government of Bangladesh to prepare for elections that ultimately will allow the Bangladeshi people to choose their own government representatives," US State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel told a press briefing in Washington DC on Wednesday.

Last Monday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced the possible time of the national election.

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Patelsaid the US will "continue to monitor the timing" and encourage the respect for the rule of law over the course of the whole election process, and the respect for democratic principles should a transition come to fruition.

Earlier in2023, the US had announced visa policy for those undermining democratic elections in Bangladesh amid allegations of massive irregularities in the national polls of 2018 and 2014 under the Awami League regime.

"We would advocate for free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner [throughout the world]."

Responding to a question, Patel told reporters the US was deeply troubled by the reports that hundreds of Bangladeshis were forcibly disappeared over the past two decades.

"Enforced disappearance is an egregious human rights violation that inflicts the trauma of indeterminate detention or disappearance on its victims.

"It also inflicts the trauma of uncertainty on the families. We welcome efforts by the interim government to investigate these crimes and encourage fair and transparent processes to provide justice for the victims and their family members."

In December 2021, the US had imposed sanction against RAB and seven of its top officials for gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

About the allegations of violence against minorities in Bangladesh and consequent protests by the Hindu community in the US, the spokesperson said it was an area of vital importance to the US.

"Anywhere around the country [the US], we want to first make sure that protests are taking place peacefully, that the basic human rights and that human dignities of all people are being respected."

He added that the US will continue to stress on human rights and dignity with counterparts and partners around the world, including in Bangladesh's interim government.