Yunus accused Sheikh Hasina of systematically destroying the country’s institutions.
New Delhi:
In a major speech to diplomats in Dhaka on Sunday, Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, called for comprehensive reforms before the next general election. The meeting marked Mr. Yunus’s first contact with the diplomatic community since taking office on August 8, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mr. Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took charge amid a volatile political landscape in which mass protests and violence resulted in Ms. Hasina’s ouster. In his speech, Yunus outlined the interim government’s roadmap for a stable and democratic Bangladesh, starting with free, fair and participatory elections.
“We will hold free, fair elections as soon as we can complete our mandate to implement crucial reforms in our Election Commission, the judiciary, the civil administration, the security forces and the media,” he told diplomats including the High Commissioner of India in Dhaka. Pranay Verma.
Restoration of normality
On August 5, Ms. Hasina, 76, fled Bangladesh by helicopter to India as protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka. Her fifteen-year rule, marked by accusations of human rights violations, came to a dramatic end. The weeks leading up to her ouster were bloody, with more than 450 people killed in the unrest and several reports of attacks on Bangladesh’s minority Hindu community.
The chief adviser said restoring law and order in the country is a top priority for his government. “Within a short period of time, we will be close to normality, with the unwavering support of our people and the patriotic armed forces,” Yunus said. “The top priority of the interim government would be to bring the law and order situation under control… The armed forces will continue to serve in support of the civilian power as long as the situation warrants it.”
Revival of the economy
In addition to political reforms, Mr. Yunus spoke of the need for robust economic reforms. The country had suffered under what he described as Ms Hasina’s “brutal dictatorship”, which Yunus said had led to widespread corruption and mismanagement.
“Our government will implement far-reaching economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and support growth,” he said.
Yunus accused Sheikh Hasina of systematically destroying the country’s institutions during her 15 years in office. He alleged that elections under Ms. Hasina’s rule had been rigged and that democratic rights had been suppressed.
“In their efforts to stay in power, Sheikh Hasina’s dictatorship has destroyed every institution in the country,” Yunus said. He described the judiciary as broken and accused the former government of allowing political patronage to rob banks and loot public coffers.
The Nobel laureate described the recent mass uprising as a “Second Revolution,” led by students and ordinary citizens seeking to regain their democratic rights.
International support
In his message to the international community, Mr Yunus called for continued support in Bangladesh’s reconstruction and transition to a fully functional democracy. He assured diplomats that Bangladesh would maintain its role as a proponent of multilateralism, with the United Nations at the core of its foreign policy.
“We believe that all our friends and partners in the international community will support our government and our people as they chart a new democratic future,” Yunus said.
“Bangladesh is at the crossroads of new beginnings. Our brave students and people deserve a lasting transformation of our nation. It is a difficult journey and we need your help along the way. We must realize their ambitions. The sooner the better,” it added he added.
Mr Yunus also welcomed the United Nations’ decision to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the recent violence, committing to fully cooperate with the international investigation.
