Interim govt must carry out fundamental reforms, polls won't work without them: Nahid
AB Party general secretary urges the UN chief to take action against three members of Sheikh Hasina's family currently working at three UN agencies
Highlights:
- Nahid says presented party's position on reforms at meeting with UN chief
- Says NCP committed to people regarding reforms and justice for genocide
- Says election without reforms won't work; fundamental reforms must be made by interim govt
The interim government will have to carry out the fundamental reforms as elections will not work without them, National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam said today (15 March).
He made the remark while talking to reporters after a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Nahid said the party's position on reforms was presented at the meeting with the UN chief at InterContinental Dhaka this afternoon (15 March).
"We are committed to the people regarding reforms and justice for genocide. The fundamental basis for reforms must be established during this government's tenure. Additionally, we presented our position regarding the constitution and the constituent assembly," Nahid said.
He emphasised that the NCP's position on reforms is rooted in post-uprising circumstances under which the government was formed.
"Reforms and justice are among its key commitments to the people. Therefore, fundamental reforms must be initiated during this government's tenure, and all political parties must reach a consensus—something that is being referred to as the July Charter," he said.
Highlighting the need for a constituent assembly election, Nahid said the upcoming national election should also include elections for a legislative body and the assembly.
He also stressed ensuring justice and expressed appreciation for the UN's role in supporting Bangladesh's reform process, particularly in the aftermath of the July uprising.
Nahid reiterated that the NCP has called for the swift implementation of the July Charter and insisted that constitutional reforms should be carried out through a constituent assembly.
"Amending the constitution solely through Parliament will not be sustainable," he noted.
He said, "We have conveyed our party's position. The UN secretary-general, from his standpoint, has encouraged Bangladesh's political parties and the government to reach a consensus and uphold the true essence of democracy by working together in unity."
Talking to reporters, AB Party General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad said during the meeting, he urged the UN chief to take action against three members of the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's family currently working at three UN agencies.
Earlier on the day, UN Secretary General Guterres, who is currently visiting Bangladesh, joined a roundtable discussion with members of the National Consensus Building Commission, leaders of the political parties and other stakeholders.
UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh's Law Adviser Dr Asif, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and representatives of other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue.
Guterres is scheduled to join a dialogue with youths and a meeting with members of civil society between 2:15pm and 5:15pm at the same venue, according to his programme schedule.
The UN chief and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain are scheduled to attend a joint press briefing at 5:20pm at Hotel InterContinental.
Earlier on the day, the UN chief reiterated that the UN will continue to provide support to Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue.
He made the assurance while speaking at a function at the new UN building at Gulshan in the capital this morning.
Guterres recalled the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeepers to the UN peace missions, saying that they are playing an important role in this regard.
He also discussed the reform initiatives by the Bangladesh interim government.
Guterres visited the new UN Common Premises in Gulshan to view a photo exhibition arranged to mark the 50th anniversary of the UN-Bangladesh relations and to hoist the official UN flag.
The visit followed the meeting with the UN country team in Bangladesh.
Guterres and Adviser for Industries, Housing and Public Works Adilur Rahman Khan jointly inaugurated the "UN House in Bangladesh" at Gulshan.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis, among others, were present.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in Bangladesh on a four-day visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday afternoon (13 March).
On Friday morning (14 March), the UN secretary general met with the chief adviser at his office. After the meeting, they departed for Cox's Bazar on the same plane, where they visited the Rohingya refugee camps and joined an iftar event with around 100,000 Rohingyas.
Prior to the meeting with the CA, Guterres met with the foreign affairs adviser and discussed Bangladesh's ongoing changes and reform process. Guterres expressed gratitude for the close cooperation between the UN and Bangladesh and for Bangladesh's generosity toward Rohingya refugees.
The UN secretary general also thanked Bangladesh for its strong commitment to peacekeeping.
Khalilur Rahman, the chief adviser's high representative for Rohingya issues, also met with the UN chief and discussed issues related to the Rohingya crisis.
According to a UN message, the secretary general and CA's high representative discussed the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state and the upcoming high-level conference on Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar.
