They say political dialogue to help remove unrest, violence
Expressing their deep concern over political violence in Bangladesh, four foreign envoys on Sunday urged the major political parties to reject violence publicly and explicitly.
“We call all political parties to clearly and publicly reject political violence. “We particularly call on the major political parties to publicly and explicitly condemn political violence exerted by their own supporters,” said Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden.
She came up with the call after she and EU Head of Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador William Hanna, Japanese Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima and German Ambassador Dr Albrecht Conze met opposition leader BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The nearly one-a-half-our meeting that began around 7pm was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, chairperson’s advisers Riaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed were also present.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Cruden said they think political parties should immediately engage in dialogue to resolve the country’s political stalemate.
“We’re concerned at the mounting violence that has accompanied political unrest in recent months. We’re saddened when we hear reports of people killed or injured during protests across Bangladesh,” she said in a statement on behalf of their four-member delegation.
Mentioning that engaging in peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, the Candida envoy said, “We believe violence is never the answer….we are concerned that at the cost of this violence and political turbulence has inflicted on the Bangladesh economy and its people particularly those at the bottom who are the most vulnerable.”
Voicing their deep concern over the recent attacks on minorities and their homes and worship places, Cruden said, “We join a vast majority of Bangladesh’s people who find this behaviour reprehensible and see no place for it in Bangladesh.”
Good faith political dialogue will help create an environment free of political unrest and violence, she said, adding, “We welcome both parities’ openness to engage in constructive dialogue at the earliest so that the country can find a way forward towards free, fair and credible elections.”
Shamsher Mobin told the reporters that they elaborately discussed with the diplomats the country’s latest political condition, dialogue and the next general election.
“They (envoys) hoped that a way-out may derive from the dialogue to resolve the political crisis. The opposition leader also agreed with their views,” the BNP leader said.
Mobin said the ongoing political instability will go if the dialogue starts, and there will be no violence over the election if it is held through a consensus.
Replying to a question, the BNP vice chairman said they told the envoys that BNP will come up with a positive response if the government takes initiatives for the talks.
Mobin said they also appraised the four diplomats about the government’s repressive acts and ban on opposition’s right to hold rallies and meetings.
The envoys told the opposition leader that they will also talk to the government to overcome the political crisis, he added.
Source: UNB Connect
