McKinnon for lifting emergency, ban on indoor politics

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Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon has called for lifting the state of emergency in Bangladesh and the ban on indoor political activity, reports UNB.
"I am convinced that these are urgent and essential steps that need to be taken if the dialogue is to be meaningful and the roadmap (to elections) implemented on schedule," said the secretary general in a statement issued in London.
McKinnon welcomed the Election Commission's announcement for holding dialogue with political parties on the roadmap to the elections envisaged by the end of 2008.
The secretary general said he had been closely following developments in Bangladesh, especially after his visit to Dhaka in March this year.
Expressing concern over recent reports of violence against students, academics and journalists, and the continuing detention of a large number of them, he added: "Freedom of expression is a fundamental political value to which all Commonwealth governments are committed."
McKinnon welcomed the lifting of the curfew imposed last week, and urged the caretaker government to release those detained without charge.
"I am also concerned about the very large number of political detainees, reportedly over 100,000, who have yet to be brought to trial. It is crucial for the caretaker government to respect the human rights of all its citizens and to ensure that the rule of law and due process are respected. The judicial processes should deal with detainees swiftly, fairly and transparently," he said.
The secretary general reiterated that the task being undertaken by the caretaker government to re-design and rebuild democratic institutions was complex and immense, one that would require the continuing support of the people of Bangladesh.
"It is important that the caretaker government keeps the people of the country constantly informed of its plans in this regard, in order to retain their confidence," he said, adding "it is only with their full consent and support that political reforms can have the legitimacy required to be sustainable."
The secretary general reaffirmed the readiness of the Commonwealth to assist in restoring representative democracy within the timeframe announced by the caretaker government.