Restoration of democracy: Role of Int’l community lauded

Role of Int'l community for restoring democracy

The role of the international community in restoring democracy for the sake of the people of Bangladesh is commendable.

The roundtable discussion on "Strengthening Democracy in Bangladesh and the Role of International Community" organized by the South Asian Youth Research Center on 28 November 2022 at 10:45 am at National Press Club Dhaka was attended by Dr. Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain, Former Minister and Present Member, Standing Committee, BNP. The round table discussion was chaired by Sumon Haque, Chairman, South Asian Youth Research Centre.

Chief guest Dr. Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain said that there is no trace of democracy in Bangladesh. There is no alternative to restore democracy in this state without democracy. Due to the undemocratic government, lack of human rights has now become the culture of Bangladesh. 

The United Nations Human Rights Organization wants to investigate these issues, but the government is not allowing it. The international ban on the senior officers of the army and police proves how deplorable the situation of lack of democracy and lack of human rights in this country is. All the countries and organizations around the world who are vocal about human rights and democracy are now aware of the situation in Bangladesh. A few days ago, America did not invite Bangladesh to the International Democracy Conference. The recent Japanese ambassador's comments on the voting situation prove that the Awami League government is sitting in power through farce. The people of this country have now become optimistic seeing the international community as a partner in protecting human rights in the name of returning the voting rights of the people of Bangladesh.

Mr. Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Vice Chairman of BNP, said in his speech that the cancellation of our Prime Minister's visit by Japan is very shameful. Any election under this government will be suicide.

Ambassador Mr. Sirajul Islam (Ex-Ambassador) said, India's undue interference in our national elections did not help democracy in this country at all. He said the recent comments of the Japanese ambassador prove that the loan the government is expecting from ADB and IMF may be hampered. He called upon the appropriate authorities to strengthen Bangladesh's position in international relations by returning the voting rights of the country's people.

Mr. Shakib Ali, a former diplomat, said that the international community's role in consolidating Bangladesh's democracy should not be imperialistic and hegemonic, urging people to be vigilant. 

He urged the current Awami League government to be people-oriented by avoiding corruption, terrorism, disappearances and murders and giving priority to the interests of the people of Bangladesh. Former Chairman of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of Dhaka University. Dr Saifuddin Ahmed said that the people of Bangladesh consider the day of voting as the day of their dignity. But today the people of this country have lost that dignity. Because the Awami League government and the submissive Election Commission have taken away the voting rights of the people through farce. The international community has come forward to establish human 

rights by taking into account the dignity of citizens, the right to vote – which is commendable. – Press release