Democracy
‘Democracy’ doesn’t go with liberation-spirit disbelievers: Khalid Mahmud
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said the people don’t want to hear the definition of democracy from the deniers of Bangabanhdu, Liberation War and Independence.
“In order to stay in Bangladesh, one has to be steadfast towards three spirits (Bangabandhu, Liberation War and Independence) as well as accept the government of the pro-liberation force,” he said.
The state minister made these remarks at the publication ceremony of the golden jubilee issue of a weekly ‘Saptahik Dabanal’ at the National Press Club in the city, said a PID handout.
READ: Zero tolerance against unfit river vessels: Khalid Mahmud
During the Liberation War, several newspapers and magazines like the weekly ‘Dabanal’ spread the spirit of the Liberation War among the people dispelling propagandas, he said.
Khalid Mahmud hoped that the magazine would play a glorious role again with new dimensions.
The state minister welcomed the initiative to publish ‘Dabanal’ again by Sheherin Selim Ripon, a grandson of the ‘Dabanal’ founding publisher and patron Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali.
READ: River-grabbers gone into hiding: Khalid Mahmud
Awami League’s presidium member Qamrul Islam spoke on the occasion, while freedom fighter Nasiruddin Yousuff and Rezaul Karim who is son of Captain M Mansur Ali were present.
Ripon, also the president of Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali Foundation, presided over the function moderated by general secretary of the foundation Advocate Mujibur Rahman.
New CEC urges all political parties to take part in elections to strengthen democracy
Newly-appointed Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday urged all political parties to participate in elections to help strengthen the country’s democracy.
“I would like to urge all in an unequivocal voice to restore our democratic process and form a dialectical (vibrant) parliament by participating in the elections, “the CEC told a press conference at the Nirbachan Bhaban on the very first day in office.
“We’ll try to present good governance and parliament to the nation through a fair election. We’ll not have any stinginess from this perspective,” he said.
Habibul said “We would like to make all election-oriented. There will be no deficit in our efforts.”
Also read: New CEC, four ECs take oath
When his attention was drawn to BNP’s announcement that it would not join the next national election, he said, “Wouldn’t we invite them for having talks and tea even after BNP made the announcement?”
He urged the political parties not to leave the electoral field to help the commission arrange for the polls in the fair manner. “The election, particularly the parliamentary one, is a massive act. So, political parties also have a role to make the elections fair,” he said.
In reply to another question about restoration of trust among political parties, the new CEC said the EC will assist the political leadership as a whole. “If the minimum compromise is not there among the political leadership, I can’t be their ‘Murubbi’ (mediators).”
“They (political parties) are much more knowledgeable and experienced than us. We’ll appeal to them to reach a compromise,” he said.
Also read: President appoints former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new CEC
Habibul said all members of his commission are committed to performing their electoral responsibilities with utmost sincerity, integrity and honesty.
“My colleagues and I, in a unified voice, said that we will try to conduct the next election following our constitutional pledge and oath,” he said.
In reply to a question, he said, “We’ll try our best so the voters can apply their voting right, which is a big challenge. We will want to bring the voters in confidence,” said the new CEC.
“We hope, pray and expect from the core of our heart that all political parties will try to strengthen our republic and democracy by participating in the elections, '' he said.
Four newly-appointed election commissioners Begum Rashida Sultana, Ahsan Habib Khan, M Alamgir and Anisur Rahman and EC Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker were present at the event.
The CEC and four election commissioners took oath of office on Sunday afternoon and joined the office on Monday morning.
Earlier on Saturday last, President Md Abdul Hamid appointed former Senior Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the CEC as well as four others --District and Session Judge (Retd) Begum Rashida Sultana, Brig Gen (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan, Senior Secretary (Retd) M Alamgir and Senior Secretary (Retd) Anisur Rahman as the election commissioners.
Need for all nations to respect maritime democracy: US Pacific fleet commander
Admiral Samuel J Paparao, Commander of US Pacific Fleet, on Sunday emphasized the need for all nations to respect maritime democracy, international rules-based order and concepts of the sovereignty of freedom of seas because these all are in the interest of all the nations.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the MILAN multinational exercise in Visakhapatnam, he said, "This MILAN conference has also emphasised on QUAD discussions between the United States, India Japan and Australia. The QUAD is a shining example when we talk about great maritime powers such as Japan, India, Australia and the United States."
READ: Joint exercise of BAF, US Pacific Air Force ends
Admiral Paparao, who was in Visakhapatnam to participate in the eleventh edition of MILAN being hosted by Eastern Naval Command, said that the future is bright with regard to the building of the interoperability between Indian and American forces as they move forward with greater and greater sharing of network and technologies.
He also said that the United States and India are actively sharing defence technologies such MH60 Romeo choppers.
The admiral said, "Alliances have responsibilities to one another within the alliance and in QUAD nations we see the recognition of shared values and shared interest and commitments between countries to help each other."
Calling Vietnam's participation in MILAN inspiring, Admiral Paparao said it is "unfortunate" that Vietnam often has been the victim of aggression on its maritime domain in terms of bigger nations trying to make excessive claims on its exclusive economic zones.
"By participating in MILAN countries can form an alliance and seek each other's help and cooperation to deal with threats that they facing from some of the bigger nations," he added
Admiral Paparao on Saturday visited USS Fitzgerald, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the US Navy, to meet the sailors on board. He thanked the sailor for the great job they have been doing to serve the United States in furthering its defence relations with India and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
READ: US Pacific commander says China seeks to intimidate region
USS Fitzgerald and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft VP-47, joined with ships, aircraft and personnel from India and other navies to participate in the MILAN Exercise in Visakhapatnam.
Joel Reifman, U.S. Consul General in Hyderabad also participated in the MILAN. During his two-day stay in Visakhapatnam, Reifman visited USS Fitzgerald and met sailors. He also had meetings with several senior Indian naval officers.
The eleventh edition of MILAN is being hosted by the Eastern Naval Command at Vishakhapatnam for the first time. The participation from Friendly Foreign Countries includes 13 ships, 39 delegations and one Maritime Patrol Aircraft. This large congregation gives significance and potency to the word 'MILAN' which means "meeting" or "confluence" in Hindi. A Special Day Cover and a movie on the MILAN exercise was released by the Chief Guest to mark the occasion.
"MILAN endeavours to promote "Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration" between like-minded Navies. This is achieved by professional interaction and experience sharing at the harbour and enhancing interoperability, including multilateral operations at sea", stated the Navy's official release.
The harbour phase of the exercise will culminate on February 28, followed by the sea phase from 1 March to 4 March.
President Hamid urges transparency in govt activities
President Abdul Hamid on Sunday called for establishing transparency and accountable good governance in government activities to make democracy more effective.
"Democracy needs to be made more effective ...... by ensuring proper participation of the people in all government activities," he said addressing thecParliament in the New Year's first session.
This was also the 16th session of the 11th parliament.
The president said that the government’s expenditure has increased due to huge increase of government’s development activities over the past one-and-a-half decade.
He also urged to maintain caution in all matters related to projects to prevent misuse of government funds.
Read:Islamic Front and NAP discuss formation of EC with President Hamid
"It is necessary to ensure 100 percent implementation of the project by adopting time bound action plan,” he added.
According to the constitution, the president addresses the House in the first session of New Year highlighting progrmmes and achievements of the government.
The president’s speech was approved earlier by the cabinet.
Mentioning people as the source of all power the President urged the legislators to keep public interest over everything else.
Hamid called upon members of the treasury and opposition benches to play their due role in the House.
The president called for building national conference on basic issues of democeacy. rule of law and development.
He said the new generation should be gifted a safe, happy, beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He said peace and stability is prevailing in the country due to the zero tolerance policy of the government against terrorism and militancy,
He said that the government is trying to ensure that people from all communities of the country can practice their religion in harmony while religious festivals of all communities including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians are celebrated peacefully in a solemn and festive atmosphere.
Letter to Blinken: Dhaka reiterates its firm commitment to promoting democracy, HR
Bangladesh has conveyed to the United States its firm commitment to promoting democracy and human rights saying as a nation it made supreme sacrifice to defend the democratic rights of its people.
"The shared commitment to democratic governance and human rights serves as the fundamental basis for Bangladesh-US relations," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen mentioned in his recent letter sent to his US counterpart Antony J Blinken.
When people's voice and election results were ignored by then Pakistani Government in 1971, Bangladeshis waged the War of Liberation to uphold democracy, human rights and justice.
Two countries economic partnership, security cooperation and people-to-people contact have flourished around this ideological pivot, Dr Momen mentioned in his letter sent on December 24, a diplomatic source in Washington told UNB.
Accordingly, he mentioned, the two countries have developed various mechanisms to hold dialogues in order to understand each other's priorities and work closely to nurture the ever-evolving multifaceted relationship.
Perhaps, Dr Momen said, Bangladesh is one of the most vibrant countries in the world in terms of press and media with 43 private TV channels, 550 national dailies and thousands of online newspapers.
All these media outlets are functioning with full freedom and independence, the government thinks.
Access to information has also been "greatly enhanced" through widespread and unhindered internet infrastructure, Dr Momen conveyed to Secretary Blinken.
At times, the Foreign Minister said, such unregulated medium of communication does create social problems that harm freedom and privacy of the individuals.
In view of the ever-changing nature of cyber threats, defamation and other forms of misuse of cyber domain by the criminals, a Digital Security Act is in place, Dr Momen conveyed his US counterpart.
"The Act continues to help us guarantee and create safe and conducive cyberspace for all. However, we are cognizant of the views of our partners on some of the provisions of the Act," Dr Momen mentioned in his letter.
Bangladesh remains engaged with the UN and its partners to address the concerns.
Minority Issues
Dr Momen said they are "dismayed" by the "fabricated and unfounded" stories about persecution of minority in Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh is a land of religious harmony and "ours is a secular Government under the leadership of Prime minister Sheikh Hasina."
Bangladesh says its government allows people from all religions and faiths to freely exercise their rights and privileges.
Also read: It can't be resolved overnight, says FM Momen on US sanctions
"We never discriminate against the individuals on the basis of religion, race or color. For instance, nearly majority of the Police Officers serving at Police Stations are Hindu although the Hindu constitutes only 9% of the total population in the country," Dr Momen conveyed to Secretary Blinken.
People with extremist political views and ideologies are, however, utterly upset with the secular image of the Government, he mentioned.
Read: Early repatriation of Rohingyas lead priority, FM tells UN expert
Dr Momen mentioned the recent death of minority people in Cumilla and Rangpur saying it is a manifestation of such an "ill-motivated attempt" to destabilize the communal harmony in the country in the name of bigotry and extremism. "We consider it as a regrettable but isolated incident."
Labor Rights
Dr Momen shared with Secretary Blinken some recent developments concerning the issue of labor rights.
Currently, Bangladesh is closely working with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and our partners to further improve the labor situation in the country.
A few months back, Bangladesh submitted an action-oriented and time-bound Roadmap on the labor sector reforms in Bangladesh spanning over a period from 2021 to 2026 (copy enclosed).
"Now, we are in the process of the implementation of the Roadmap. All these actions certainly underline the seriousness of our government's commitment to promoting and protecting labor rights in the country," Dr Momen mentioned n his letter.
As Bangladesh and the USA prepare to celebrate the 50 anniversary of relationship next year, the Foreign Minister said, he would like to surmount all stumbling blocks standing in the way with mutual trust and confidence in order for ushering in a new chapter of cooperation and partnership.
"I echo your words that we have a large window of opportunities to work jointly, including in the areas of climate change, peacekeeping, democracy, human rights, Rohingya issue, COVID-19 pandemic, etc," he mentioned.
Dr Momen said they can be proud that, during the pandemic, the two countries have set a shining example of excellent bilateral relations standing by each other, including through providing medical equipment and vaccines.
In his letter, Dr Momen wished Secretary Blinken and his family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022.
2022 to be a good year for democracy, hopes BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party is hopeful that democracy will be ‘restored’ in Bangladesh in the New Year, 2022.
"Hopefully, in this New Year 2022, democracy will be restored and our leader Begum Khaleda Zia will be released (fully from jail). We’ll surely be able to establish a government of people,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
On behalf of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul also greeted the country’s people on the occasion of the English New Year.
Read: Get ready for movement with shrouds on heads: BNP to followers
Ailing Khaleda
Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia is fighting for her life in a hospital in the capital for lack of advanced treatment abroad.
He alleged that the BNP chief was jailed out of political ‘vengeance’ of the government. “She’s not being given a scope to receive medical treatment abroad not because of a legal matter but because of reprisal.”
The BNP leader also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has created such an atmosphere in the country driven out of political vengeance so that Khaleda cannot get any chance to get advanced treatment abroad.
“They want our chairperson to move towards death slowly with critical diseases,” he said.
Fakhrul warned that the government will be held responsible if anything bad happens to Khaleda for lack of proper treatment.
“The leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal took a vow today (Saturday) to intensify the ongoing movement to restore democracy in the country and ensure our leader’s (Khaleda’s) treatment abroad. InshAllah we’ll succeed in 2022,” he said.
“Pointless” Dialogue
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said their party thinks President Abdul Hamid’s ongoing talks with political parties on the reconstitution of the Election Commission EC) is a meaningless exercise.
Read: BNP not to join talks on EC formation
“We feel that the current crisis is not related to the formation of the Election Commission or enacting a law. The main crisis is related to the nature of polls-time government,” he observed.
The BNP leader said a credible and meaningful election is not possible if it is held under the Awami League government.
He said the 12th parliamentary election must be held under a polls-time neutral and non-party government to be conducted by an impartial EC.
Earlier last week, the BNP standing committee at a meeting decided not to join the talks on EC.
EC formation: BNF seeks election-time govt, search committee
Joining the ongoing dialogue with President Abdul Hamid over the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC), Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) on Wednesday presented a 3-point proposal, including formation of the EC through a search committee and an election-time government led by the Prime Minister. A seven-member delegation, led by BNF President SM Abul Kalam Azad, took part in a dialogue with President Abdul Hamid at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the afternoon.
Read: BNP not to join talks on EC formation Welcoming the delegation to Bangabhaban, the President said the opinions of political parties are very important for the formation of an acceptable Election Commission, President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB. "It’s necessary to evaluate the sacrifices of the leaders and workers and the principles and ideals of the party without giving priority to financial issues in politics in the interest of democracy," said the President during the discussion. He said that democracy should not be limited to only elections but it should also be spread through continuous practice. The President called upon the political parties to take initiatives to motivate people in this regard. The BNF delegation thanked the President for initiating discussions with the political parties on the EC formation.
Read: EC formation process to continue: Quader On Tuesday a seven-member delegation, led by Rashed Khan Menon, President of Worker’s Party of Bangladesh took part in discussions with President Hamid. The President held talks with Khilafat Majlis (KM) as part of forming an acceptable EC on December 27. Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, led by Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizbhandari, also sat in dialogue with the President at 4 pm on the same day. President Hamid opened a talk with the Jatiya Party, the main opposition party in the Jatiya Sangsad, on December 20. According to Bangabhaban press wing, the other parties invited for the dialogue are Gonoforum and Bikalpo Dhara on January 2, Ganotantri Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon on January 3 and Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal and Islami Andolon Bangladesh on January 4. Now there are only 39 registered political parties in Bangladesh, according to the EC website and only nine of them have representation in Parliament. The nine parties are Bangladesh Awami League, Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Ganoforum, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and Jatiya Party-JP.
Uncontested elections a concern for democracy: EC Mahbub
Uncontested elections are a serious concern for the state of democracy, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder said Tuesday.
Referring to the series of unopposed winners in the ongoing Union Parishad (UP) elections as a matter of concern, EC Mahbub Talukder said it is “probably not possible, nor even appropriate” in a democratic state structure to encourage uncontested elections.
He said this to the reporters, after a meeting on the UP election law and order situation at Chattogram circuit house.
Mahbub Talukder said that a trend has been set.
"As 360 UP chairmen have been elected unopposed, according to the newspapers and 1,600 candidates have been elected unopposed to other posts, such a culture has developed.”
READ: 2 children fall to death from an election campaign van
In order to get out of this situation, we need to consider whether we need to make any changes in the electoral system or not, he said
In the sixth phase of UP elections, voting will be done by EVM system. “We have taken this as a challenge. The schedule has already been announced. Every effort will be made to make this election fair,” he added
The speakers at the meeting discussed the law and order situation ahead of the fourth phase of UP elections on December 26. EC Mahbub Talukder was the chief guest at the meeting, which was chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kamrul Hasan.
Bangladesh India’s development partner, Kovind tells Hasina
Terming Bangabandhu an ideal of pluralism and democracy, visiting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said Bangladesh is a development partner of his country.
“Our partnership is comprehensive and vibrant,” President Kovind said when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met him at his palace of residence at Hotel Sonargaon here.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The Indian President said he is happy to be in Bangladesh as it marks three great occasions -- Bangabandhu Birth Centenary, Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and 50 Years of Indo-Bangla Diplomatic Relations.
Read:Dhaka, Delhi eye more achievements through joint efforts with solid stability
Talking about the pandemic, the Indian President said Covid-19 is an “unseen power” that destroyed everything.
He said Bangladesh was the first country to receive Covid-19 vaccine from India and thanked Bangladesh for sending medicines to India to tackle the virus.
The Indian President hoped that Bangladesh will emerge as a more prosperous and developed country under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s support to India in different international forums, Kovind said the Bangabandhu-Bapuji joint digital exhibition was remarkable.
“And Bangabandhu Chair has been established in Delhi University,” he said, adding that India is focusing on connectivity between the two countries.
The Indian President thanked Sheikh Hasina for sending a very good gift of mangoes to Indian leaders.
India has contributed in establishment of democracy in Bangladesh: Rajnath Singh
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India has contributed to the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh and in the last 50 years, Bangladesh has progressed rapidly on the path of development, which is an inspiration for the rest of the world reported ANI.
Addressing the Swarnim Vijay Parv celebrations today at India Gate to commemorate 50 years of India's historic victory in the 1971 war and Indo-Bangladesh friendship, Rajnath Singh said, "India has contributed to the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh and today we are very happy that in the last 50 years Bangladesh has progressed rapidly on the path of development, which is an inspiration for the rest of the world."
"Today we all have gathered here at India Gate to celebrate the 'Vijay Parv' organized under the 'Swarnim Victory Year' of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. This festival commemorates the glorious victory of the Indian armies, which changed both the history and geography of South Asia," he added.
"It was decided to organize this event in a grand form, but after the untimely demise of the country's first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, it has been decided to mark it with simplicity. On this occasion, I pay my tributes by remembering him too," he said.
Also read: India 4th most powerful country in Asia; China loses ground to US: Report
"On this day, I bow to the bravery, valour and sacrifice of every soldier of the Indian Army, due to which India won the 1971 war. This country will always be indebted to the sacrifice of all those bravehearts," he added.
"Sometimes I wonder, what was the fault of our Bengali sisters and brothers? For demanding their rights? Seeking to preserve their art, culture and language? For talking about his proper representation in politics and governance?" he said.
"The injustice and atrocities on our Bengali sisters and brothers were a threat to the entire humanity in one form or the other. In such a situation, it was our Rajdharm, Rashtradharm and military religion that helped in liberating the people of then 'East Pakistan' from that injustice and exploitation," he added.
"This war is a classic example of our morals, our democratic traditions and just treatment. It will be rarely seen in history that after defeating another country in a war, a country like ours did not express its dominance over it, but handed over the power to its political representative," the Defence Minister said.
Also read: B’desh explores transboundary wildlife corridor with India and Myanmar: Minister
'Swarnim Vijay Parv' is being celebrated at India Gate, New Delhi from December 12 till December 13, 2021, to commemorate 50 years of India's historic victory in the 1971 war and the Indo-Bangladesh friendship. The event was inaugurated by Rajnath Singh today. Major weapons and equipment used during the 1971 war have been displayed along with the snippets of major battles.
The closing ceremony will be held on December 13, 2021, which will be attended by Rajnath Singh. Many dignitaries, including from Bangladesh, will be present.