Freedom of speech must for democracy

Freedom of speech and people's security and right to justice must be ensured to promote democracy and development, viewed rights activist Sultana Kamal.

"Democracy and development are interconnected.  Development in any country is constrained if democracy does not prevail," she added, according to a press release.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a mock parliamentary debate, "Whether limited democracy is acceptable for sustainable development" organised by the Debate for Democracy at the capital's Bangladesh Film Development Corporation yesterday.

Students of Stamford University Bangladesh played the role of the ruling party and those of Dhaka International University were the opposition party.

Debate for Democracy Chairman Hassan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron presided over the debate competition, won by Dhaka International University.