UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties in Bangladesh to refrain from violence or any excessive use of force or arbitrary detention, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday.

At a press briefing, Stéphane said the UN secretary-general is concerned about reports of violence at political rallies in Bangladesh, in which at least nine people have died and numerous people have been injured.

The UN chief also stressed the need to respect the right of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, he added.

Replying to a question, Stéphane said, “…we obviously are concerned, as I said, by the violence.  We still think that it is important that there be calm and respect for all people’s freedom to express themselves in advance of the elections.

“But I don’t think anyone wants to prejudge the elections,” he said.