Dhaka, Sept 15 – BNP on Sunday alleged that the current government has established an ‘electoral autocracy’ in the country by destroying all the democratic institutions. “The government has destroyed all the democratic institutions with a motive to establish an autocratic rule in the country. An electoral autocracy is now there in the country undercover of democracy,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He further said, “They (govt) are holding elections to show there’s democracy, but they’re doing everything against democracy. But our party has cent percent commitment to democracy.”
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, marking the International Day of Democracy.
He said the International Day of Democracy is being observed in Bangladesh at a time when Khaleda Zia, who had repeatedly spearheaded movement for restoration of democracy, has been in jail in ‘false’ cases. “What can be the bigger farce than it?”
The BNP leader said the country now lacks democracy and a representative government as the current one was ‘not’ elected with people’s votes.
“On this day, we call upon all to get united to restore democracy, free Khaleda Zia, ensure good governance, remove inequality and build a democratic state as per the spirit of the Liberation War,” he said.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has created a political anarchy in the country over the last 10 years with its repressive acts. “The opposition parties have been subjected to immense repression, killing and enforced disappearance. Over one lakh cases were filed against 26 lakh opposition leaders and activists in the last 10 years. The government has created a reign of terror with killing, enforced disappearance, false cases and custodial death.”
He said the United Nations can ask the Bangladesh government as to how it runs the country violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights despite being a signatory to it.
The BNP leader said different rights bodies and democratic countries, including the UK, the USA and Canada, have recently voiced deep concern over the human rights condition in Bangladesh.
“In this undemocratic environment, the government may have the self-satisfaction that it has occupied entire Bangladesh using the state machinery. But they couldn’t win the hearts of 18 crore people.” he observed.- UNB
