The US Congress has expressed concern over the growing political tensions in Bangladesh and attacks on minorities as two major political parties remained adamant in their respective positions and feared that further instability might lead to expansion of extremists groups threatening regional security. The observation was made at a hearing, titled ‘Bangladesh in Turmoil: A Nation on the Brink?’ held at Rayburn House Office Building. The Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific arranged it with US Representative Steve Chabot, Chairman of the Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific, in the chair. Ed Royce, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs’ Committee, Ali Riaz, Prof and Chair, Department of Politics and Government, Illinois State University and a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Centre, Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies and John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch participated in the hearing as witnesses. Responding to a question on political situation, Prof Ali Riaz said, “I’m not very much optimistic about an inclusive election at this point unless something dramatic happens.” On a recent meeting between BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and President M Abdul Hamid, he said the President has a very limited constitutional power. “In that case how much he will be able to intervene in this kind of situation is not very clear.” Prof Ali Riaz, however, said, “There’s no doubt in my mind that he has moral power. The President does carry some order.” He said the most likely scenario is that a non-inclusive election that Bangladesh is going to experience. “I wish I’m wrong. But as of today that what it looks like.” The analyst also mentioned two options — at least some sort of accommodation of opposition’s demand, including a cabinet not-headed by the incumbent Prime Minister would be an option or deferral of election. Ali Riaz said the present political crisis in Bangladesh can be turned into an opportunity to build a stable democratic prosperous country. “It’s time for Bangladeshi political leaders to take the right decisions to hold an inclusive election, agree on post election tolerant behavior, rein in extremism, commit to address the issues of war crimes judiciously, and commit to regional peace, and it’s time for the international community to help them in this regard,” he said. He also mentioned that economic and social achievements of recent decades show that the citizens are capable of taking steps in the right direction. “The upcoming election is important at both domestic and regional levels with significance for the US,” Prof Riaz added. He said Bangladeshi politics is once again at the crossroads and the constitution requires an election to be held by 24 January 2014. “But there is no agreement between the opposition and the ruling parties as to who will oversee the election.” Muniruzzaman said in total the formation of ‘so-called’ interim government has shown that she (PM) does not really care about what sort of accommodation is needed to solve the problem. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will try and push towards a one-party election with disastrous consequences for the country because if does that then the country will move in the path of instability because the post election violation is going to be even higher than pre-election violence. “If she finds it absolutely difficult to push towards a one-party election, which is of course the desire, then she’ll probably urge the President to declare state of emergency by which she can stall the election and buy time for ourselves…perhaps then she’ll come back to election after year or year and half.” He said if the violence keeps on escalating the military might reluctantly come up to restore some bit of stability in the country and provide security to citizens. “That’s the third option I see.” Muniruzzaman said increased instability in Bangladesh means a hampering of the commercial functions, investment, trade, services and, above all, massive disturbances in normal life and subsistence activities of millions of poor and middle class of this overpopulated nation of 160 million. “Death, injury and destruction follow in big numbers in such situations in Bangladesh. A destabilized Muslim majority nation is a breeding ground of fundamentalism, militancy and even terrorism.” He said Bangladesh is no different. In a worst case scenario, some spillover effect cannot be ruled out to neighboring provinces of bordering nations. John Sifton said, “I think at some point the Prime Minister will have to come to the reality…she may not realise it today but she eventually will have to realize.” In his opening remark, Chabot said the country is at political turmoil and it is uncertain whether or not the BNP boycott the election. “I (during his visit in Bangladesh) stressed the need for curtailing the growing violence, which can only bring about further instability possibly leading to expansion of extremists groups,” he said. He said Bangladesh has grown into crucial link between the dominant ‘Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor’ and strategically located between Asia’s two powerhouses – India and China, Bangladesh plays a key role in maintaining regional stability. As a moderate secular nation, Bangladesh has become an important security partner for Bangladesh, Steve Chabot added. “During those meetings (with Hasina-Khaleda), I expressed my views that the national election should be free, fair, transparent and without violence. Both the leaders were adamant in their positions. Sheikh Hasina insisted that the provision well in place to conduct a fair election. Khaleda Zia maintained that a fair election could not be held without caretaker government.” He also touched upon the issues of ICT and working conditions for the workers in Bangladesh. Chabot, however, said highly appreciate Bangladesh’s development saying ‘Bangladesh story has been an impressive one.’ In the hearing, Ed Royce expressed his concern over the attacks on minorities saying the government is not doing enough to protect minorities. In reply, Ali Riaz said, “I completely agree with you Congressman…these’re the issues that we need to address and we urge the international community to work close so that such attacks don’t repeat.” Though it was supposed to start at 2pm (Washington time) it started at 2:55pm and Chabot in his opening remark sought apology for the delay. – UNB
