Failure of citizens' move to deepen political crisis
SHUJAN's Key Demands
- Stop violence, punish perps
- End extra-judicial killings
- Defend democratic rights of all
The country will be in deeper crisis and its sovereignty at stake if the initiative taken by a citizens' group fails to spur dialogue between the two major political parties, ex-Election Commissioner M Shakhawat Hossain said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "There is no alternative to talks. If any initiative taken inside our country fails, we will see more external meddling," he said. "Our politicians must understand that the situation is going out of their control. It is no good sign for them. I hope they will come to their senses."
He was addressing a human chain of Shushashoner Jannoy Nagorik (SHUJAN) before the National Museum yesterday demanding "peace, harmony and consensus".
Hossain welcomed the initiative of a 13-memeber citizens' committee, including seven former caretaker government advisers, which on Friday called for an immediate stop to violence to pave the way for dialogue. Former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda heads the group.
SHUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar yesterday proposed formulation of a national charter of consensus, which will offer a sustainable solution to the political crisis by outlining the electoral system, election-time government, and post-poll responsibilities of political parties.
Majumdar blamed the one-sided January 5 election as a key contributor to the ongoing crisis, and said the president should intervene if the political parties fail to organise talks by themselves.
SHUJAN President M Hafizuddin Khan, eminent rights activist Hameeda Hossain, and media personality Muhammad Jahangir also spoke.
Meanwhile, former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to hold a fresh national election to end the turmoil.
He was addressing a token hunger strike at the office of his party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, in the capital's Kuril, demanding a dialogue between Hasina and BNP chief Khaleda Zia.
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