Hasina's arrest
Matthew Islam, (Bar Student), London, UK
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. The arrest of Sheikh Hasina, under emergency rules, without representation being allowed, suspending her basic human rights in the way it was done was an arbitrary use of the law. Whether the act constitutes an attempt to stifle a political leader is for you, the readers, to decide. Ask yourself: is Sheikh Hasina's arrest a regular part of the government's drive to clean up corruption, or is it an attempt to consolidate power? A prima facie fight for reform to hold a free and fair election in Bangladesh to protect democracy has now become a crusade to ensure that no opinion opposing the new order exists. Yes, in the end a certain type of 'controlled and balanced' democracy shall prevail in Bangladesh, I suppose. But is really choosing your elected representative from a list of pre-selected politicians a truly functioning democracy? Hasina's arrest will therefore harm democracy, in that perception of the people is that the arrest was based on shoddy evidence.
|
|
