This parliament doesn't have moral legitimacy

BNP yesterday alleged that the 11th parliament lacks legitimacy, as its lawmakers were not elected by people's votes.

“The current parliament doesn't have the moral legitimacy to go into session, since they [MPs] were not elected. It was a farce and a cruel mockery with the nation in the name of an election,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a programme at Jatiya Press Club.

A newly-launched women's body, “Awaj”, arranged the seminar titled “Violence and Women: Present Perspective”. Dr Shahida Rafique, a professor of Dhaka University, presented the keynote paper at the programme.

Speaking at the programme, Fakhrul urged his party colleagues to be vocal and active for the restoration of democracy, and removing injustice. “We should not die before our death. Don't get panicked; people of the country are with you.”

 “Awami League pushed the country towards destruction with its efforts to cling to power by any means. They deliberately used all state institutions to return to power through the election, destroying the democratic characteristics of the country. Nothing can be more dangerous than this,” Fakhrul added.

On the topic of violence against women, Fakhrul alleged that the current parliament will not discuss the issue of repression against women, as people from the ruling party are indulging in such acts.

He said the problem is growing due to a change in the characteristics of the state and society. “This problem can't be removed until we can restore democracy and people's rights.”

In her paper, Dr Rafique presented statistics on violence against women in recent years, and suggested formation of a separate ministry alongside strict enforcement of law, to stop it.