Dhaka, Dec 19 – The major opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front yesterday briefed foreign diplomats based in Dhaka about the election situation in the country including the arrest of opposition candidates, leaders and activists and resorting to harassment and repression on them ahead of the 11th parliamentary polls.During the briefing the diplomats at a hotel in Gulshan, the Oikya Front leaders also showed video footage of different incidents of attack on the opposition leaders and activists alleging that the
ruling Awami League does not allow the opposition in the field of election, meeting sources said.
The Oikya Front leaders also handed over the diplomats the English version of both the electoral manifesto of the Oikya Front and the BNP.
Top Oikya Front leader and Ganoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain, who led the Oikya Front team, said they briefed the diplomats about the ongoing arrest of opposition leaders and activists including our candidates and resorting to harassment and repression on them before the polls.
“The foreign missions reports also unveiled the incidents. They also did not disagree with us,” he said after briefing in the afternoon.
Dr Kamal said the diplomats expressed their interests to talk to the persons concerned over the situation.
Referring to the attack on him, he told the diplomats that he could not realize that he would come under attack on the martyrdom intellectual day. He claimed that a level playing field for the
election has yet been created and expressed his resentment over the Chief Election Commissioner.
Earlier, talking to the reporters, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Robert Miller observed that all sides should refrain from acts of violence to maintain the electoral process.
“Holding a violence free election is the responsibility of the Election Commission and they will take necessary measures in this regard, he said.
Asked about the US stance over December 30 parliamentary polls, he said their stance is same as he stated after a meeting with the BNP leaders on Tuesday. He had stated that the US wants Bangladesh to hold a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election.
The US Ambassador had said that they are worried over the reports on violence ahead of the elections calling up all to give up the violence.
Top Oikya Front leader and Ganoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain briefed the diplomats based in Dhaka. Ambassadors, high commissioners and representative from 35 countries and development partners including the USA, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Denmark, Turkey, China, Japan, Canada, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and European Union were present at the two and half a hour long briefing began at 2:30pm.
BNP’s special affairs secretary Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon told reporters that it was not a formal meeting rather they briefed the diplomats and they did not made any observation.
BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said they briefed the diplomats over the arrest of opposition leaders and activists and carrying out harassment on them.
“Our foreign friends had advised us to take part in the election and we did it. They also assured us that a congenial atmosphere will be created but it is still undone. We have informed them about the situation,” he added.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said they informed the diplomats that if army is deployed since December 20 (today) the ongoing violence centering the elections can be checked.
BNP leaders Sabihuddin Ahmed, Masud Ahmed Talukder, Tabith Awal and Jeba Amin Khan, and Ganoforum leader Subrata Chowdhury, among others, accompanied Dr Kamal Hossain during the briefing.
Meanwhile, speaking at a discussion meeting at Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium, Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain warned that the consequence would be severe one if the frothing election is not held in a free and fair manner.
He said if the ruling party wants all the 300 constituencies in the name of so called elections they are ready to offer them all seats without polling.
Bangladesh Human Rights Federation (BHRF) organized the meeting to mark the 70th World Human Rights with its chairman DR Mohammed Shajahan in the chair.- Staff Reporter
