Japanese Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima on Monday urged all the political
parties to engage in a constructive dialogue to find a mutually
acceptable solution for holding the coming general election in a free,
fair, credible, inclusive and peaceful manner in the interest of
Bangladesh’s future. In a statement on the political confrontation
and recent violence in Bangladesh, he also called upon the political
parties to end violence for creating an environment for a peaceful
election. “We urge the leaders of all the political parties to take
all possible measures to end violence,” the statement said. Japan,
as a long-time friend and important stakeholder of Bangladesh,
strongly condemns any kind of violence and destructive activities that
seriously affect people’s lives and development of Bangladesh, the
Japanese diplomat said. “Echoing the concern expressed by the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, we’re also deeply
grieved at ever increasing violence in Bangladesh.” Earlier, at a
function at the Japan Embassy here, the envoy hoped that there will be
a peaceful and timely implementation of an ‘all-inclusive’ general
election in Bangladesh. “A credible electoral process is integral to
the advancement of democracy– we’re happy to be able to contribute to
this end,” the envoy said adding that he sincerely hopes for a
peaceful and timely implementation of an all-inclusive general
election. The Japanese diplomat made the remark at a grant contract
signing ceremony for a project at the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka,
according to a media release issued by the Japan Embassy in Dhaka.
The government of Japan has decided to donate US$ 121,514 to FEMA
under ‘Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects’
(GGHSP) for the civil monitoring of elections, including the 10th
parliamentary election of Bangladesh. Japanese envoy Shiro Sadoshima
and FEMA President Munira Khan signed the agreement. Through this
project, FEMA will mobilise a total of 1,550 observers in 300
constituencies of Bangladesh. Training programmes have been designed
to train observers to monitor whether the electoral process is in line
with the legal and administrative frameworks. Besides, voter
education and information dissemination campaigns will be conducted to
facilitate the Bangladeshi citizens’ participation in the electoral
process. FEMA also monitored past parliamentary elections, City
Corporation elections and several by-elections. Munira Khan said
this project will enable Bangladeshi citizens to peacefully and
meaningfully participate in the electoral process. She stressed that
this assistance will also support steps to enhance the electoral
framework and process beyond the next general election. Japan has
been providing assistance for the good governance of Bangladesh and
supported past general election. GGHSP was first introduced in
Bangladesh in 1989 with the primary objective of supporting
development projects that enhance human security at the grassroots
level. To this date, a total of 178 projects have been funded
through this scheme, amounting to US$13,671,246 in grant. On Sunday,
Navi Pillay voiced deep concern over the rising level of political
violence in Bangladesh and urged political leaders on both sides to
stop their ‘destructive brinkmanship’. “Whatever their differences,
political leaders on both sides must halt their destructive
brinkmanship, which is pushing Bangladesh dangerously close to a major
crisis,” Pillay said in a statement issued from Geneva. The High
Commissioner pointed out that Bangladesh is a State Party to the Rome
Statute of the International Criminal Court. “In other situations, we
have seen cases of political or election related violence where the
perpetrators of such acts – including political leadership – have
faced prosecution,” she said. – UNB
