UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged Bangladesh’s two major political parties – Awami League and BNP – to reach a mutually agreed consensus through ‘constructive dialogue’ to hold a ‘non-violent’ election in Bangladesh with the participation of all parties.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Dr AK Abdul Momen shared the content of the letter sent to the Prime Minister as the media outlets came up with different versions on the UN Chief’s letter to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“Basically, he (UN chief) encouraged a constructive dialogue to create a conducive environment for holding a non-violent election in Bangladesh,” Dr Momen told UNB over phone on Saturday.
Responding to a question, he said the UN Chief focused on violence-free election. “He likes Bangladesh very much and has appreciated the socioeconomic progress made by Bangladesh and he expects a peaceful election in Bangladesh.”
The UN chief also mentioned that a similar letter has been written to the BNP Chairperson and encouraged her and her party to reach a decision through ‘constructive’ dialogue, Dr Momen said.
He also said the UN wants a credible election in Bangladesh which will have to be credible in the eyes of Bangladeshi people. “The essence of his letter is a request for holding constructive and meaningful dialogue.”
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said, “We immediately sent the letter through fax and email.”
Amid the escalation of violence and absence of political compromise over the polls-time government, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco arrives here on December 6 to convey UN chief’s message to both the top leaders to encourage them to break the standoff.
The UN envoy will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition leader Khaleda Zia and other political party chiefs and civil society representatives during his visit to help ensure free, fair and credible polls in Bangladesh.
He will report back to the UN chief on the outcome of his Bangladesh visit ahead of the election, said an official source.
Taranco visited Bangladesh from May 10 to 13 at the request of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
During his stay in Dhaka, he met the Prime Minister, the BNP Chairperson, the Speaker of Parliament, the Foreign Minister, the Chief Election Commissioner, leaders of major political parties, and the representatives of civil society and the media.
As part of his visit, Taranco conveyed to all interlocutors a strong message from the Secretary-General about the urgent need for more meaningful and constructive political dialogue to create conducive conditions for the successful holding of the election.
During his last visit, the UN envoy stressed the need for an early solution to the issue of a polls-time government through dialogue to ensure a free, fair and peaceful national election reminding political parties that ‘time is running out’.
Earlier, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and urged them to hold talks for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing political crisis.
Source: UNBConnect
