I know that my country, the United States, is reported to have tortured Muslims and others in secret detention camps. I know that the United States government has used a method called rendition to secretly transport persons from the United States to secret prisons in other countries. So I am not writing as a citizen of a perfect country with a perfect government.

All countries must improve human rights records. I am most disturbed about the violence against journalists in Bangladesh. Without freedom of the press, political progress is difficult. I am, in a modest way, a journalist in the United States and do not approve of the ill treatment of journalists in Bangladesh.

Where is the commitment of the government of Bangladesh to improve human rights? A good government will condemn the violence against journalists and human rights defenders. Attacks and violence against journalists and human rights defenders have increased. Too long has Bangladesh waited for a National Human Rights Commission.