Visiting United Kingdom Minister for International Development Alan Duncan has emphasised on free, fair and respected elections in Bangladesh, firmly stating that the elections would be watched by the world. He expressed his optimism that all sides in the country
would resolve their differences through dialogue.The British Minister declined to make any comment regarding BNP senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, who is now residing in London.
“Clearly this is an important period for Bangladesh as it looks to hold national elections. Bangladesh needs free, fair and respected elections,” Duncan told a press conference British High Commission Staff Amenities Centre while replying to a volley of questions on the upcoming elections and dialogue between the two major parties.
“It is critically important for Bangladesh’s reputation that the parliamentary elections are judged to be free, fair, and credible,” he added.
“The time limit is obviously approaching by which time the election needs to be held. There are of course a few uncertainties that how to rules will be applied. But I do hope there would be sufficient agreement between the parties to agree on the rule of the game so that the elections can be conducted,” said the British Minister.
“It is essential they are conducted without violence and I say this very, very firmly that the world will be watching,” he said.
“And, if there is any violence I will be looking to the leaders from both parties to disassociate them with violence and to condemn any violence that happens and to make sure that all of them, all party workers conduct their politics to the highest democratic standard,” he added.
To another question, Duncan said, “We are very happy to offer any advice if we are invited that how our system works to see if those can be helpful here.”
On the question of dialogue, he said, “I know it’s difficult. We have two-party leaders who contest each other very, very vigorously. So, the dialogue is not easy when you are always in political combat. But once again it goes back to the need to agree fundamental basic rules of democratic politics.”
To a question regarding the election period government, the Minister said, “It’s not for me to say what exactly should happen. All I am saying is that I hope the constitution will work and work smoothly. The elections can be conducted according to the rules that everybody is agreed on.”
“Democracy is like a football. You got to set the rule of the game and then you can play the game very hard. You got to have fair rules. We want everyone to agree the rules, make the constitution work and have an election which everybody respects,” he said.
About a question on parliament, Duncan said, “When there is a boycott of parliament and the parliament is not working, then it does reduce the reputation of the country.”
Asked about the immigration status of BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and sending him back to Bangladesh from UK, he said, “We don’t comment on the individual asylum matter and I appreciate and urge you to understand this would not be a decision for politicians. We have an independent judiciary and therefore it is not a question you could sensibly put to a politician because we are not the people who decide anyway.”
Replying to another question, Duncan said, “We are concerned about any deterioration in the human right situation in any country. I have expressed concern about human rights and about conduct of politics to all politicians I met on every occasion I come to Bangladesh.”
He laid emphasis on freedom of media in the country.
On readymade garment sector in Bangladesh, the British Minister said, “The Rana Plaza factory collapse was devastating in its scale and, along with factory fires, must be taken as a wake-up call to all of us.”
“Safety and standards must be made to catch up with the rapid growth in the garment sector, which is a massive success story and must not be allowed to go sour”, he said.
Duncan announced the new UK support for a programme of skills training to 100,000 low-skilled garment and construction workers, improving overall productivity and helping to produce higher-value products. When his comments were sought about remarks by some European Parliament members that Bangladeshi products should be banned, he said, “I would say one hundred percent no. It would be a total disaster for the country. So to say, ban Bangladesh products is in my view a crazy and irresponsible thing to say.”
-With The Independent input
