Pressing need to ensure transition to democracy
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the dinner hosted by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed at Hotel Sheraton in the capital last night.Photo: PID
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Bangladesh's most pressing need is to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy and for the incoming elected government to consolidate the democracy and reform to stem a recurrence of confrontational politics.
“This is an opportunity for the country, and in particular the political parties, to address the serious problems that have given rise to the politics of confrontation and violence,” he told a banquet at Sheraton Hotel last night.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and his wife Neena Ahmed hosted the banquet in honour of the visiting UN secretary general and his spouse Ban Soon-Taek.
The chief executive of the United Nations arrived here in the evening on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
In his speech, the UN secretary general said the current political dialogue between the government and the political parties in the process of transition must succeed.
“But equally important is for an ongoing, constructive dialogue to take shape between the leadership of the two main political parties, so as to stabilise and strengthen the quality of democracy in this country,” Ban Ki-moon told the function.
He didn't name Awami League and BNP, the two former ruling parties whose rivalry is broadly blamed for confrontation in politics and the eventual 1/11 changeover.
He noted that much commendable work has been done to prepare for a credible election in December. “The photo voter list commands widespread confidence. I am proud that the United Nations was able to contribute toward this important achievement,” he said.
The UN secretary general said it is now important to build on these achievements and to have in place the political and security condition necessary for a credible election. The protection of human rights is a vital element of this effort.
“You now face the challenge of ensuring a smooth return to a better democracy --a democracy that is sustainable and responsive to the needs of the people. In making this happen, I hope that the country and its leaders will be inspired by the best of Bangladesh's history and its rich cultural heritage,” he told his audience.
He assured that UN system would remain Bangladesh's close partner in facing the challenges ahead.
Ban Ki-moon noted that the people of Bangladesh have repeatedly made decisions that display courage, resourcefulness and independence of mind.
Listing the laudable achievements, he said, “They defended their language when it was threatened, they fought for independence when the odds stood against them, they reduced the rate of population density reached alarming levels and they gave the poor a chance to prove their creditworthiness through micro-credit.”
Bangladesh makes significant contributions to the world organisation, he said, adding that at a time when many nations are reluctant to contribute troops to UN peacekeeping operations, Bangladesh steps forward again and again.
“Over the past decade, you have been one of the leading contributors of troops and police.”
More than 9,000 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are now deployed in Africa, Asia and Europe.
He recalled and appreciated Bangladesh's various efforts and steps, including the initiation of the annual resolution on culture of peace by the UN General Assembly. He said as the current chair of the group of Least Developed Countries Bangladesh can play an important role in the efforts to achieve UN reform.
“This concrete commitment to peace and to the fundamental values of the United Nations says a lot about the character of the people of Bangladesh,” the South Korean diplomat-turned UN chief executive said.
He said this is a country, which has achieved remarkable success to growth and poverty reduction, the rapid decline in the rate of population growth, and the achievement of gender parity in primary and secondary school enrolment. All this also speaks to this country's remarkable capacities.
“You will need those capacities to meet the challenges ahead,” he remarked.
Turning to global warming and climate change, he said Bangladesh is on the frontlines of climate change. Rising sea levels could inundate the fertile Ganges delta, displacing large numbers of people and undermining the country's striking achievements in food security.
Already global warming has intensified the recurrent natural disaster to which the country is prone, he noted.
“I salute the outstanding response of the government and people of Bangladesh to the two devastating floods of 2007, to super cyclone Sidr,” he said.
The speed and effectiveness of the response was an example to the world, said the head of the world body.
The UN secretary general also mentioned that Bangladesh also face hardship because of the dramatic rise in global commodity prices. “I have been impressed by the government's efforts to stimulate food production, and by other steps being taken to cushion the blow on those least equipped to absorb the shock,” he said.
“Now a serious global financial crisis is part of the picture, and I share your concern about its impact,” he told the meet.
Addressing the function, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said a fresh voter list with photographs and amended electoral rules, and code of conduct would help ensure that the general election on December 18 is free, fair and acceptable to all.
He informed the UN chief that his government, under its reform recipe, completely revamped the Election Commission to ensure its independence and neutrality.
He said the Bangladesh Election Commission with assistance from UNDP and country's development partners and helped by the armed forces prepared a fresh electoral roll of over 80 million eligible voters with photographs.
The CA said the caretaker government, in its nearly two years in office, has attempted a series of reforms and succeeded in many of them to make democracy strong and sustainable.
Mentioning other steps, including establishing a National Human Rights Commission, promulgating the Right to Information Ordinance, revamped laws relating to local government, establishing an independent Local Government Commission, he said the government is confident that Bangladesh would set a new standard of democracy and good governance in the developing world.
The CA said Bangladesh always been a strong believer in the United Nations and in the pivotal role its plays to promote peace, security and development.
“As the head of the world organisation, your visit revalidates the unity of purpose that Bangladesh shares with the United Nations,” he told the UN secretary general.
He said Bangladesh has been one of the key architects of the 'Culture of Peace' resolution adopted at the General Assembly that seeks to promote understanding and engender hope for a peaceful world.
Speaker M Jamiruddin Sircar, advisers, the chief election commissioner, special assistants to the chief adviser, diplomats, chiefs of three services of the armed forces, distinguished personalities of different professions, high civil and military officials and members of the delegation of the UN Secretary General, among others, were present at the function.
Talking to media after talks with Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at Hotel Sonargaon in the evening, the UN secretary general hoped that the forthcoming parliamentary elections would be held in most fair, objective and credible ways so that Bangladesh can have very smooth and peaceful transition towards full democracy.
The UN chief, who will hold meetings with the president, the chief adviser and the leaders of two major parties-BNP and Awami League--today, said he is convinced that the government and the political parties would have closer cooperation in this matter.
He also hoped that the people and the government of Bangladesh would develop not only in socioeconomic field but also in political field.
Ban expressed satisfaction to see “very strong partnership” maintained between Bangladesh and the United Nations, particularly in the field of the peacekeeping operations.
The UN chief said he had a fruitful meeting with the Foreign Adviser with whom he had worked for several years in the United Nations.
Iftekhar told the news agency that they also discussed the adverse impact of climate change on Bangladesh and food security.
Comments