Tarique Rahman speaks at a virtual Human Rights Day discussion

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman speaks at a virtual Human Rights Day discussion on Dec 10, 2020.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahman 

Mr. Chairman of today’s event, ladies and gentlemen, my party colleagues, friends from the international community and most importantly all family members of victims subject to enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing who are participating in today’s program. Assalamualaikum and good evening to you all in Dhaka. 

Today, 10th December marks the UN designated international human rights day. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all human rights activists and organizations who work to make the world a better place and break it free from the hands of injustice. The people of Bangladesh faced many atrocities of miscarriages of  justice, break down of rule of law, barring freedom of expression and the onslaught of a global pandemic remaining strong and brave to be hopeful of a better future. On this occasion I recall all those citizen of the country who have sacrificed their lives for establishing democracy and also those who have been injured, tortured and suffer in many ways and I particularly take this opportunity to recall all my fellow colleagues who have given their live in fighting against the atrocities of an unelected regime in the hope of restoring the rights of the people of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina’s highly flawed government in Bangladesh continues to rule the country through influencing state institutions to fulfill its objectives through brutal forcese on the people of the country. Law enforcement authority, the judicial system, businesses, people’s rights are all at the desire of a flawed government that rules by applying state terror and manipulate all institutions to fulfill the desire of a one party state. Today we see Bangladesh state  exchequer is exploited to elect it’s sculpture of a past ruler to justify the forceful presence of one party rule across the country. Yet this state failed to provide any kind of social protection to those who need the most in this pandemic. No support to provide food and shelter for the economically disadvantaged people, no adequate financial support to those who have lost jobs or faced long term financial difficulties. No support for small businesses but yet we see millions of crores being looted by benefices of the ruling political regime from state banks, institutions and organizations. Endemic corruption   and violations of human rights across all sectors is at an all time high in Bangladesh. 

Friends you all heard today the distress and grief pain of the people of those subject to extrajudicial killings and disappearance go through everyday in the hope of the day, hear the news of their loved one, returning one day or in the hope they will see the justice of those who have been killed at the violent hands of the state. I’m grateful to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP’s human rights committee for timely publication highlighting systematic violation of rights under state influence in the country. I hope, friends in the international community will find some factual basis in this substantive documentation of case studies to further devote the stories of the people’s rights in Bangladesh. In today’s world it’s not good enough for political parties and government to continue business as usual and turn an blind eye to human rights. Political leaders must  set a vision to safeguard their people by allowing them the freedom to express their will. A renewed pledge to commit to reforming legislation is required to incorporate inclusive right in a country that’s fit for purpose. The root cause of the sharp demise of human rights in Bangladesh resides in the dismantally of the electoral policy and thus people’s right to democratic franchise. Friends together we must raise our voices nationally and internationally to restore democratic process and human rights in Bangladesh.

Thank you all again.for taking the time to attend this event and I wish you all well and every success in your endeavor to make the world a better place.