Khaleda Zia
Movement to continue until govt falls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their ongoing movement will not stop until the fall of the current government.
“A warm-up for a movement has begun across the country. This movement won’t stop until our chairperson Khaleda Zia is freed and the fall of the current monstrous regime is ensured,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader also said democracy and people’s voting rights will not be restored in the country as long as Awami League stays in power.
Read: Get ready for movement with shrouds on heads: BNP to followers
“Let’s take a vow from this rally that we won’t return home from the streets until we can remove this regime from power and free our leader Khaleda Zia and send her abroad for treatment. Our movement will go on,” he said.
Thakurgaon district unit BNP arranged the rally on the premises of the public library in the district town, demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
Recalling Khaleda’s role in different movements for the restoration of democracy and developing the country, Fakhrul said that leader has been now fighting for life for lack of advanced treatment.
“We urged the government to allow her to go abroad for treatment, but it’s not paying heed to our call,” he deplored.
The BNP leader said they have been carrying out a movement across the country for a month demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad. “Movement doesn’t mean hartal and blockade. Thousands of people standing in rallies are loudly demanding Khaleda Zia’s release. It’s also a strong movement.”
He alleged that the current government has destroyed all the achievements of the country all the state institutions.
Fakhrul said freedom fighters did not liberate the country in 1971 to keep only a party and a person in power. “We liberated the country for democracy and having a democratic governing system.”
He said the government has been staying in power ‘using’ the state machinery by revoking the caretaker government system in 2012.
Referring to US sanctions on seven current and former officials of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the BNP leader said, “The sanctions need to be imposed on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as they acted at her behest.”
Read: BNP not to join talks on EC formation
He said the government has ‘politicised’ the judiciary, administration and law enforcement agencies to hang onto power. “This regime has become a liability for us. We need to remove this government as soon as possible.”
Fakhrul said their party is observing December 30 as voting rights snatching day as Awami League took away votes at night on December 29 in 2018.
“We want to get back our voting rights, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Journalists' right to write freely has been snatched by enacting the Digital Security Act,” he observed.
It’s President’s jurisdiction to appoint CJ: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Wednesday said the President is the sole authority to appoint the Chief Justice. “In Bangladesh, the President has the authority to appoint the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice without asking anyone else. The President will appoint the Chief Justice whom he will deem fit for it. I think those who’re now in the Appellate Division are all fit for the post.” The law minister came up with the remarks while responding to a question from reporters about the appointment of the Chief Justice at a programme of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in the capital.
Read: Law minister urges NHRC to stand against violation of human rights Replying to a question about the formation of the Election Commission (EC), the minister said, “The tenure of the EC will expire in February next year. The process for the formation of the EC has started and it’s under the jurisdiction of the President.” Responding to another question about allowing BNP chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, the minister said the case in which Khaleda Zia got jail term was filed by the caretaker government, not the Awami League government. “Already, Khaleda has been released under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on some conditions, now there’s no scope to reconsider her release. She has to go back to jail first and file a plea to the government,” he said. “Khaleda was released under section 401 of the CrPC and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved her plea on humanitarian grounds. The plea was disposed of and there is no scope to reconsider the disposed plea and you (journalists) know the government can’t do anything against the law,” he said.
Dialogue on EC formation ‘pointless’: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday termed ‘meaningless’ the ongoing talks on the reconstitution of the Election Commission as he thinks it will not help restore people’s voting rights.
“The President has started inviting political parties for talks to arrange another election. Are the people of Bangladesh fools? We would like to clearly say this dialogue is meaningless. The problem relating to the election and democracy won’t be resolved through this dialogue,” he said.
The BNP leader said similar talks were held earlier and the government arranged an election in 2014 when 154 MPs were elected unopposed while the votes were snatched the night before the voting in 2018.
Read:Goal of independence not materealised yet: Fakhrul
“They again initiated the talks, but it won’t help restore people’s voting rights. It’s the government, not the Election Commission, the main barrier to holding a credible election. It matters who’ll be there in power during the polls,” he said
Fakhrul said the election will not be fair and people will not be able to cast their votes if Sheikh Hasina’s government stays in power during the voting. “We respect the country’s President. But if the President creates a scope to deceive people, we can’t accept it.”
He said people’s problems will not be resolved by holding talks with the President and the current ‘fraud’ government. “So, stop maneuvering and take steps to hold a credible election under an impartial government quitting power.”
Manikganj district unit BNP arranged the rally in Manikganj Government Boys’ High School field demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
President Abdul Hamid began talks with the registered political parties over the formation of the new Election Commotion on December 20.
The tenure of the current EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, is scheduled to expire on February 14 next year.
As per the constitution, a new Commission must be formed before the expiry of the present EC.
Govt days are ‘numbered’
Fakhrul said the government is trying to establish a one-party governing system in the country by destroying democracy and the hopes and aspirations of the freedom fighters.
The BNP leader said the government has ruined all the achievements of the nation and all the institutions of the state.
Referring to the US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its current and former seven officials, he said it happened as the government turned Bangladesh into an undemocratic and repressive state. “It’s a matter of shame for us as a nation.”
Fakhrul said a strong unity of people from all walks of life must be forged like the 90s to remove the current ‘monstrous’ regime.
The BNP leader said the days of the current government are numbered as the UN and different democratic countries are also going to impose sanctions on it to restore democracy in Bangladesh.
Read: Khaleda’s condition worsens again in hospital: Fakhrul
Sending Khaleda abroad
Fakhrul said Khaleda has been now receiving treatment in a hospital in the capital standing at the crossroads of life and death.
“The leader who has long been working for democracy is not being allowed to go abroad for treatment by the government that usurped state power. They’re making false statements on her treatment. It’s a deception.”
He said the government can send the BNP chief abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC).
Fakhrul urged the government to immediately allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment. “Or else, if anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia, this government will be held responsible for it.”
No legal scope to send Khaleda abroad: Home Minister
As per the opinion of the Law Ministry, there is no scope in the law to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday.
“The Law Ministry in its opinion said there’s no scope in law to let Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment. The Law Ministry gave its opinion with the explanation of the relevant law, and we’re reviewing it,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Read: Khaleda’s plea to go abroad: Law Ministry forwards opinion to Home Ministry
The opinion of the ministry will be sent to the Prime Minister after its review, the home minister said.
On Monday, the Law Ministry forwarded its opinion to the Home Ministry on an application seeking permission to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment.
Khaleda’s condition worsens again in hospital: Fakhrul
The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment in a city hospital with liver cirrhosis and other health complications, has deteriorated again.
“Madam’s (Khaleda’s) health condition has worsened again. Different parameters of her health are showing a downward trend from yesterday (Tuesday),” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
READ: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP’s rallies in 32 districts from Dec 22
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday, he also said Khaleda’s hemoglobin level is also dropping.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said there had been no internal bleeding of Khaleda until Tuesday.
He said they have long been demanding the government allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment but the government is paying no heed to it as there is no democracy and human rights in the country.
“The accountability to people is hampered at every step in a country that lacks democracy and which is now prevailing everywhere now in Bangladesh,” he said.
Fakhrul said people cannot enjoy human rights and personal security when democracy remains missing in any country. “The government’s obstruction to sending three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad is the latest example.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
READ: Documents regarding Khaleda's birthday submitted to HC
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq recently said the government is looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment.
Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP’s rallies in 32 districts from Dec 22
Dhaka, Dec 15 (UNB) - BNP is going to hold rallies in 32 districts from December 22 to force the government to allow its chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes on Wednesday after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
“We’ve decided to hold rallies at district level demanding that our leader Khaleda Zia be released and sent abroad for advanced treatment. The programmes will begin from December 22 and continue until December 30,” he said.
Read: Govt trying to ‘wipe out’ Liberation War spirit: BNP
He said they also formed different teams comprising senior leaders to hold the rallies successfully.
As part of the programmes, the party will hold six rallies each day on December 22, 24 and 26 while seven rallies each day on December 28 and December 30.
On December 22, six rallies will be held in Tangail, Habiganj, Jashore, Bogura, Dinajpur and Brahmanbaria.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will formally inaugurate the programmes by addressing the rally in Tangail on December 22.
Earlier, BNP observed human chains, mass-hunger strikes, rallies and submission of memorandums to DC offices across the country to push for the same demand.
BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, its Dhaka south city convener Abdus Salam and north city convener Amanullah Aman were, among others, present at the meeting.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
Read: Khaleda being deprived of human rights: BNP
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from liver cirrhosis and her doctors said she needs to go abroad immediately for advanced treatment.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Khaleda being deprived of human rights: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that their party’s ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia is being deprived of her human rights.
“Our party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister, is now being deprived of human rights and her minimum right to receive treatment,” he told a seminar.
Fakhrul also bemoaned that BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been forced to remain in exile by “unfairly’ convicting him in different cases by the current government.
BNP’s National Committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme at a city hotel marking the International Human Rights Day.
A book titled “Disenfranchisement under the Authorial Regime” was launched at the programme.
Many incidents of human rights violations in Bangladesh under the rule of the current government have been depicted in the book.
Some family members of the victims of the enforced disappearances joined the programme and expressed sorrow and agony for not being able to trace of their near and dear ones.
“The family members of the victims of enforced disappearances have shared their pains and ordeals here today (Friday). But we have been hearing their screams and that of their children for eight years. The children are still waiting to see when their fathers will return to them. We’re going through such a terrible and disturbing situation,” Fakhrul said.
He said human rights have been extremely violated in Bangladesh under the rule of the current government for lack of democracy.
“One thing is very clear that human rights and democracy are complimentary to each other. Without democracy, human rights can never be protected and without human rights democracy can never continue,” the BNP leader observed.
Referring to the statistics of different rights bodies, he said around 607 people were subjected to enforced disappearances while over 1,000 BNP leaders and activists were killed during the rule of the current government.
He said around 35 lakh leaders and activists of BNP have been implicated in many cases. “If you visit Dhaka or district courts you will find 90 percent of the total accused arrive there are BNP leaders and activists.”
Accusing the government of politicising the judiciary and administration, Fakhrul said the country’s people have no confidence in the judiciary as they are not getting any justice from there.
Read: Govt conspiring to "kill" Khaleda: Fakhrul
He said the government has snatched people’s rights to expression and established its full control over the media. “Those who now work for media have become helpless due to the Digital Security Act.”
The BNP leader called upon people of all works of life to forge strong national unity for the restoration of democracy in the country through a united movement.
Some foreign diplomats and the representatives of various international organisations joined the programme.
Ruling party’s demonstration
As BNP’s seminar began around 4pm at Lakeshore Hotel, a group of pro-ruling party activists under the banner of family members of the victims of BNP’s arson attacks and the victims of enforced disappearances and conspiracies during Zaiur Rahman’s regime gathered in front of the same hotel and staged a demonstration there.
They alleged that many incidents of serious human rights violations had taken place during Zia’s rule.
As long as the seminar continued, the demonstrators continued their protests standing on the footpath in front of the hotel.
BNP reacts to PM’s remark on Khaleda’s treatment; says it’s “unexpected”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remark on ”critically ill”’ Khaleda Zia’s treatment is unexpected.
“Khaleda Zia is seriously ill and she’s now at the crossroads of death and life. The treatment she needs is not possible in the country. She needs to be sent to an advanced medical centre without any further delay,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said, "This is unfortunate to hear from the one who’s running the country usurping power that she has shown so much humanity (to Khaleda), and what else is left to do? This cannot be expected from a leader of a civilised country,” Fakhrul said.
Recalling Khaleda’s struggle during the Liberation War and her long battle for the restoration of democracy and people’s rights, Fakhrul alleged that their leader has now not been allowed to receive advanced treatment to save her life.
Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf Smiriti Parishad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the first death anniversary of late BNP vice-chairman Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said they have already shown great generosity to Khaleda Zia though her intention was always to hurt the Bangabandhu family.
Read: Khaleda suffers from bleeding again: Fakhrul
Addressing a discussion virtually, Hasina also said, “What do they expect from us? We allowed her to stay home and she’s being taken to hospital for treatment freely. Isn’t it enough? Isn’t it a great generosity? ” Hasina said.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members on Sunday said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for medical treatment.
Fakhrul said the political culture of Bangladesh has completely changed over the last one decade since Awami League has come to power. “Bangladesh now lacks fairness and justice as terrible vengeance, injustice, and repressive acts are all around here,” he observed.
Read: Govt conspiring to "kill" Khaleda: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said people now cannot think and write freely in fear of facing consequences and cases under different acts and laws. “A suffocating situation has been prevailing in the country.”
He said a unity of all political parties, organisations and people of all walks of life is now urgent to ‘restore’ democracy in the country by defeating the current ’monstrous’ government.
Describing Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf as a polite and dedicated politician, Fakhrul recalled his contributions to the country and BNP.
‘Have shown great generosity to Khaleda’: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said they have shown great generosity to Khaleda Zia by allowing her to stay at home and receive treatment in a hospital freely, though Khaleda’s intention was always to hurt the Bangabandhu family.
“What do they expect from us? We allowed her to stay home and she’s being taken to hospital for treatment freely. Isn’t it enough? Isn’t it a great generosity? ” Hasina said.
The Prime Minister was addressing a discussion virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, the youth wing of the ruling Awami League, arranged the discussion at the city’s Krishibid Institute Bangladesh on the occasion of its 49th founding anniversary.
The Prime Minister said she allowed Khaleda Zia to stay home and receive treatment after postponing her sentence on an executive order on humanitarian grounds. “Now she (Khaleda) is receiving treatment in the country’s most expensive hospital,” she said.
Read: PM Hasina for forging strong worker-owner relations to boost productivity
Referring to Khaleda’s birthday, Hasina questioned, “What does it mean by the birthday celebration, cutting cake on August 15? It’s just to hurt us who lost parents, brothers and children; isn’t it? Khaleda Zia celebrates August 15 as her birthday. If so, how can they expect more from me?” she said, adding that several birthday dates of Khaleda Zia have been mentioned as her birthdays in different documents.
Hasina also criticised Khaleda for rewarding and patronizing the killers of the Father of the Nation, making a killer of Bangabandhu as the opposition leader in Parliament in 1996, derogatory remarks during the August-21 grenade attack, not allowing former army chief general Mustafizur Rahman to receive treatment at the CMH, and not providing treatment facilities to HM Ershad in jail and Raushon Ershad, and unleashing tortures on AL leaders, including Mohammad Nasim.
“Now, BNP leaders want sympathy and cooperation! But I would like to ask them what Khaleda Zia had behaved (with us). What were the remarks of Khaleda Zia before the August-21 grenade attack?” she said.
At that time Khaleda Zia commented that Sheikh Hasina would never be even the opposition leader, let alone the Prime Minister, and Awami League would not be able to return to power even in 100 years, Hasina said.
“The motive behind all their works is to hurt us, not only by rewarding and patronising the killers (of Bangabandhu) but also in other ways,” she said.
Khaleda suffers from bleeding again: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s condition worsened as she suffered from internal bleeding again on Tuesday.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he also bemoaned that the government has cancelled the BNP chief’s application for passport renewal.
“I visited the hospital yesterday (Tuesday) where all doctors were present. Her (Khaleda’s) condition has deteriorated again. She suffered from further bleeding,” the BNP leader said.
Read: Let Khaleda go abroad by Saturday or face movement: Pro-BNP lawyers
Fakhrul said doctors clearly said it is now essential to send the BNP chief to any advanced medical centre abroad for treatment without any delay in a bid to save her life. “She has been in ICU, and her condition has reached such a state that doctors are monitoring her condition every moment and treating her accordingly.”
He said the government has been showing a negative attitude from the very beginning towards her medical issue and it is not taking any step for her treatment abroad.
“We’ve long been on a movement for sending our leader (Khaleda) abroad as doctors are saying there’s no advanced medical centre and equipment in Bangladesh for giving her proper treatment for her liver cirrhosis problem,” the BNP secretary general said.
Pro-BNP Shikshak Karmachari Oikyajote formed the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Fakhrul said the BNP chief’s liver problem has reached a critical stage as she did not get proper treatment during her stay in Old Dhaka Central Jail and later at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
“You all saw she went to jail with good health…It was too late when she was brought to PG Hospital (BSMMU) from the jail. She has been gradually pushed towards death,” he said.
Khaleda’s passport renewal application turned down
Fakhrul alleged that the government has cancelled the BNP chief’s application for the renewal of her passport.
He said the government used to say they are looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad. “But you (govt) have cancelled her application for the passport. It’s contradictory to your statement.”
The BNP leader called upon the government to take immediate steps for giving Khaleda a new passport and allowing her abroad for treatment. “Or else, you’ll be held responsible if her condition deteriorates further and anything bad happens to her.”
He said the government wants to fool people by talking about legal barriers to allow Khaleda to go abroad. “You (govt) have freed her under section 401 (of the Criminal Procedure Code) imposition a condition that she would not be able to go abroad. It’s only you who can now lift this condition.”
Read: Govt looking into legal options to let Khaleda go abroad: Law Minister
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members on Sunday said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for medical treatment.