Emergency 'insult' to country

The state of emergency is an "insult" to the country and the caretaker government must lift it immediately to hold the election and restore democracy, speakers said at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap yesterday.
"The state of emergency must go if we want democracy and election in the country. If the emergency is not lifted, holding of the election will not be possible," said former adviser to caretaker government Maj Gen (retd) Moinul Hossain Chowdhury.
"A state of emergency for such a long time is insulting for the country," he said, adding, "Is it a failed country since the situation here is not becoming normal?"
BBC Bangla Service in association with the BBC World Service Trust organised the event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. Kamal Ahmed of BBC Bangla Service moderated the dialogue.
Taking part as panellists, former energy adviser Mahmudur Rahman said, "If the necessity of the emergency does not end in 16 months, then I will say it is a failure of the present government."
He said, "The state of emergency is an insult to the country's people and it is opening up scopes for raising questions about the image of the country."
Awami League Forest and Environment Affairs Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said the government is not taking any action against those who took to the street to protest the women development policy violating the state of emergency but the government takes tough action when others criticise it.
Referring to the Supreme Court verdict that paved the way for trying former premier Sheikh Hasina for extortion under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) although the alleged offence was committed before declaration of the emergency, both Mahmudur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud said the judgment has turned the entire nation into a "large prison".
"Following the judgment, 15 crore people of the country have become detained," said Mahmudur.
Hasan said the question of bringing under trial the judges who are delivering such "unconstitutional" judgments may arise in the future.
The speakers observed that following the Supreme Court verdict the trial of war criminals now could be brought under the EPR.
Maj Gen (retd) Moinul said international cooperation, including assistance of India and Pakistan in terms of evidence, is a must to try the war criminals in a meaningful way.
Replying to a query about the recent demand for amending clause 70 of the constitution, both Hasan and Moinul said the caretaker government does not have any right to amend the constitution.
It is alleged that lawmakers cannot play due role in parliament because of this clause.
Moinul said the issue of amending the clause should be included in the political parties' electoral manifestos.
Mahmudur said the clause must go to strengthen democracy, but it has to be amended under a political government's rule.
Moinul also said it is not the duty of a caretaker government to bring about reforms in the political parties.
Replying to another query, the panellists said the percentage of the poor and ultra-poor is increasing in the country under the present government's rule because of the skyrocketing price hike of essentials.