Reforms, July massacre trial and election: What political parties told UN chief

The BNP told visiting UN Secretary-General António Guterres that they want the interim government to hold the general election only after poll-centric reforms, while the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami insisted on necessary reforms and justice for the July massacre before the election.

Guterres held a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, leaders of different political parties, and other stakeholders at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka yesterday.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Taher, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, and AB Party General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, among others, attended the meeting.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Ali Riaz, and members Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Badiul Alam Majumdar were also present at the meeting.
BNP

After the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul told reporters that the BNP informed the UN chief of its desire for a swift parliamentary election following election-related reforms.

"The reforms must be carried out, and BNP was the first to raise this issue. However, the priority should be completing election-related reforms quickly and then holding the election. Additional reforms can be made later through parliament. Reform is a continuous process," he added.

Asked whether BNP mentioned a specific timeframe for the election, Fakhrul said, "There is no need for us to set a timeframe. Reform is an internal matter. We are in discussions with the reform commissions, maintaining communication with them, and providing what they require."

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that the UN views election and reform matters as Bangladesh's internal affairs. The people of the country should decide on these issues.

NCP

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) – the newly formed party by students who led the 2024 July uprising – told reporters that during the meeting, he affirmed the party's commitment to reforms and justice for the July massacre, emphasising that the foundation for reforms must be laid under the current interim government. 

"Without reforms, elections will be meaningless," he added, also highlighting their stance on the constituent assembly to revise the constitution.

Jamaat

Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters, "We discussed reforms, fair elections, sustainable democracy, and national unity. The UN secretary general supported most of our statements and assured us of cooperation in Bangladesh's decision-making process. He also expressed optimism about a fair election."

Ganosamhati Andolon

Ganosamhati Andolon's Chief Coordinator, Zonayed Saki, said that he sought the UN's assistance to ensure justice for the July massacre in line with international standards. Additionally, their stance on reforms and consensus regarding elections was conveyed.

AB Party

AB Party General Secretary, lawyer Asaduzzaman Fuad, also said that UN assistance is needed to implement recommendations presented in the UN fact-finding report. He also pointed out that three of Sheikh Hasina's relatives are still working in UN agencies.

UN chief leaves Dhaka today

Last Thursday, at the invitation of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Dhaka for a four-day official visit.

Yesterday marked the third day of his visit, during which he has had a busy schedule. In the morning, he officially opened a new "UN House in Bangladesh" in the capital, attended a photography exhibition, and officially hoisted the UN flag.

At 5:20pm yesterday, Guterres and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain addressed a joint press conference.

Guterres is expected to leave Dhaka today.