The political situation in Bangladesh is worsening, with no clear indication by the Army-backed Interim Administration of holding elections in the next few months.
May 15, 2007 (Press Release) --
The political situation in Bangladesh is worsening, with no clear indication by the Army-backed Interim Administration of holding elections in the next few months and democracy being restored in this nation of 145 million people. Serious doubts have been raised about the intentions of the non-political actors running the Administration, or the forces lending them crucial support. Bangladeshis fear that these forces are intent on introducing wide-ranging electoral and constitutional reforms to prevent resumption of normal democratic activities. This reminds them of what Gen. Pervez Musharraf did in Pakistan after staging a military coup, discrediting the country's popular political leadership and promoting Islamists to retain power with the help of obliging and rootless civilians, who were herded together by the intelligence agencies to form a King's Party which remains subservient to the military.
Bangladesh returned to civilian leadership after much struggle in 1991, following nearly 15 years of military rule. The Interim Administration is now trying to prevent Begum Hasina of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia, both former Premiers, from returning to power by clamping corruption, murder and other criminal charges against them and their family members. Perhaps, the military is trying to follow in the footsteps of former Pakistani dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq who got former Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto hanged on murder charges. An arrest warrant was got issued by a court on a complaint by none other than the fundamentalist Jamaat-i-Islami, which was a component of the previous Government led by Begum Zia.
The Administration was forced to repeal its order to prevent Begum Hasina from returning to Dhaka after 51 days in the US and UK under international pressure. Sheikh Hasian returned home, thus marking a crucial victory in her battle against the military-backed interim government, saying she will face whatever charges are clamped on her and continue her struggle for holding of early elections and restoration of democratic governance. Begum Khaleda Zia also was saved from being sent into exile as several Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia (where she was supposed to go for Haj), Kuwait and Qatar refusing her asylum. The Administration now says there was no move to exile her or put any restriction on her movement, though her elder son has been arrested on corruption charges and her residence searched.
Though the Administration appears to have relented under international pressure by not exiling the two leaders, it is difficult to say what will be its next move. It only vaguely promises to hold elections towards the end of 2008, an unusually long time to correct the electoral rolls, streamline the administration and ensure free and fair election which the political parties have been demanding. The Army and the Islamists may not easily give up their agenda.
Countries wanting Bangladesh to stay democratic and not
Bangladesh returned to civilian leadership after much struggle in 1991, following nearly 15 years of military rule. The Interim Administration is now trying to prevent Begum Hasina of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia, both former Premiers, from returning to power by clamping corruption, murder and other criminal charges against them and their family members. Perhaps, the military is trying to follow in the footsteps of former Pakistani dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq who got former Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto hanged on murder charges. An arrest warrant was got issued by a court on a complaint by none other than the fundamentalist Jamaat-i-Islami, which was a component of the previous Government led by Begum Zia.
The Administration was forced to repeal its order to prevent Begum Hasina from returning to Dhaka after 51 days in the US and UK under international pressure. Sheikh Hasian returned home, thus marking a crucial victory in her battle against the military-backed interim government, saying she will face whatever charges are clamped on her and continue her struggle for holding of early elections and restoration of democratic governance. Begum Khaleda Zia also was saved from being sent into exile as several Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia (where she was supposed to go for Haj), Kuwait and Qatar refusing her asylum. The Administration now says there was no move to exile her or put any restriction on her movement, though her elder son has been arrested on corruption charges and her residence searched.
Though the Administration appears to have relented under international pressure by not exiling the two leaders, it is difficult to say what will be its next move. It only vaguely promises to hold elections towards the end of 2008, an unusually long time to correct the electoral rolls, streamline the administration and ensure free and fair election which the political parties have been demanding. The Army and the Islamists may not easily give up their agenda.
Countries wanting Bangladesh to stay democratic and not
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