CA pleads for duty-free access of LDC products, free movement of labour

---

NEW YORK, Sept 28 (UNB): Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed has assured the United Nations (UN) in a clear term of holding a free, fair and meaningful election in Bangladesh by the end of next year.
"We've pledged to put Bangladesh on a higher trajectory of good governance, rule of law and development," he told the plenary meeting of the 62nd UN General Assembly here Thursday afternoon.
Fakhruddin said the Election Commission has announced a timeline for holding the next parliamentary election by the end of 2008.
"Our administration is committed to ensuring that this timeframe is achieved," he said. "We are determined to hold a free, fair and meaningful election within the timeframe."
"(But) if we are to deliver a free, fair and meaningful election, we must first free our politics from the clutches of corruption and violence."
In his 15-minute speech that began at 5.0pm (local time), the Chief Adviser depicted a pen picture of dilapidated state of democracy, political violence and rampant corruption in the past.
"The fabric of our democracy had been torn apart by years of catastrophic corruption," said Fakhruddin, a former Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
He said widespread frustration and political violence disrupted normal life and shattered all public confidence in the possibility of credible elections (on January 22).
"Moreover," he said, "there was little hope that a tainted election could have ended the cycle of violence. A State of Emergency was, therefore, declared on January 11 in an effort to end the ongoing chaos and to usher in a new beginning."
In his speech, the Chief Advisor touched upon ineffective democracy, corruption, current political party reform, reconstituted Anti-Corruption Commission, National Human Rights Commission and commitment to fight religious fundamentalism.
On international issues, he pleaded for duty-free access of LDCs products, free labour movement, UN peacekeeping, combating climate change and an effective UN.
However, he devoted most of his time on Bangladesh's political scenario and the role of his caretaker government.
"Recent events in Bangladesh have evoked considerable interest worldwide, as we struggle to fulfill the promise of democracy for our people," Fakhruddin told the General Assembly.
In Bangladesh, he said, the very institutions, which form the foundations of democracy, have been eroded by ongoing corruption.
Fakhruddin said re-building these institutions and restoring public confidence through meaningful reforms is a Herculean task, but "one in which we cannot and will not fail."
About the reconstituted Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), he said the ACC has been given sweeping powers not only to apprehend those who have been corrupt but also to work as a deterrent.
On Bangladesh's accession to the UN Convention against Corruption, he said this will not only contribute to the reduction of corruption in Bangladesh, "but will also help us recover the ill-gotten gains of corruption stored abroad."
"Those who engage in corruption must confront the reality that there is no safe haven. The world is united in the struggle against corruption, and today Bangladesh pledges itself as an active partner in that endeavour."
On judicial independence, he said the caretaker government initiated the necessary steps to fully separate the executive and judicial branches of the government.
About political party reforms, the Chief Adviser noted that
accountability and true democratic character of political parties remain critically important for democracy to function.
He claimed that political parties themselves initiated various reforms "in response to demands of the people."
On human rights issue, he said in Bangladesh the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the rule of law go hand in hand with the protection of human rights.
He said the caretaker government has taken a decision to establish a National Human Rights Commission to ensure that existing laws and public institutions reflect international standards and norms of human rights.
On extremism, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh remain resolute in its relentless campaign against international extremism and terrorism.
Fakhruddin said the problems facing Bangladesh today are not unique as after all, in the developing world, "democracy does not necessarily ensure good governance."
Bangladesh represent an effective model of civil-military cooperation in crisis prevention, he said. "Our experience in crisis management could be relevant for many crisis-torn, nascent democracies."
On UN peacekeeping mission, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh will continue to play a leadership role in multi-dimensional peacekeeping efforts, and is ready to provide "comprehensive deployment packages" in future peace operations.
He said as one of the largest troop contributing countries (TCCs), Bangladesh strongly feels that the TCCs should have an equitable representation and play a greater role in deployment and other strategic decisions.
About the issue of UN reforms, the Chief Adviser said it is the collective responsibility to make the UN more relevant to the present day world. He said reform exercise should focus on the requirements of achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs).

On adverse impact of climate change, he said Bangladesh is
particularly vulnerable to global warming given that "as much as 30 per cent of our land will be submerged if the Bay of Bengal rises by just one metre."
He called for enhanced international cooperation to meet the challenges of global warming and its consequence.
On international trade, he said Bangladesh, along with many other LDCs, is facing significant tariff and non-tariff barriers in accessing developed markets. "Global trade regimes must provide unimpeded access to all products of LDCs, to ensure that the fruits of progress are shared by all."
The Chief Adviser also called for ensuring free movement of labour, saying that temporary labor migration provides a livelihood option and a route out of poverty. "If we are to reduce poverty by half by 2015, we must strengthen our efforts to ensure the free movement of labor."