Bangladeshi opposition leaders say they are reconsidering their participation in national elections due next month because of the country's political crisis.
Leaders of the main opposition Awami League party say they may boycott the January 23rd election because of President Iajuddin Ahmed's failure to meet their demands for electoral reforms.
Awami League leader Sheikh Hassina has accused Mr. Ahmed of being biased toward former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who stepped down in October at the end of her five-year term.
Bangladesh's 14-party opposition alliance led by the Awami League has staged weeks of protests, strikes and transport blockades to press their demands for free and fair elections.
The alliance also has condemned President Ahmed for ordering 17-thousand soldiers to deploy Saturday in major towns and cities to subdue the protests.
Four members of President Ahmed's caretaker government resigned Monday to protest his decision to deploy the troops. Mr. Ahmed appointed four replacements Tuesday.
U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Watch urged Bangladesh's military Tuesday to remain politically neutral in the run up to national elections due next month.
The group said it is seriously concerned by the move because previous military deployments have resulted in political violence.
Human Rights Watch said more than 50 Bangladeshis died after being arrested by troops in 2002 during the last major army deployment.
Leaders of the main opposition Awami League party say they may boycott the January 23rd election because of President Iajuddin Ahmed's failure to meet their demands for electoral reforms.
Awami League leader Sheikh Hassina has accused Mr. Ahmed of being biased toward former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who stepped down in October at the end of her five-year term.
Bangladesh's 14-party opposition alliance led by the Awami League has staged weeks of protests, strikes and transport blockades to press their demands for free and fair elections.
The alliance also has condemned President Ahmed for ordering 17-thousand soldiers to deploy Saturday in major towns and cities to subdue the protests.
Four members of President Ahmed's caretaker government resigned Monday to protest his decision to deploy the troops. Mr. Ahmed appointed four replacements Tuesday.
U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Watch urged Bangladesh's military Tuesday to remain politically neutral in the run up to national elections due next month.
The group said it is seriously concerned by the move because previous military deployments have resulted in political violence.
Human Rights Watch said more than 50 Bangladeshis died after being arrested by troops in 2002 during the last major army deployment.