The deepening political deadlock in Bangladesh could 'gravely destabilise' the country unless the major political alliances move urgently to reduce tensions, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said Monday.
"…With daily violence at the pre-election level, the political crisis is fast approaching the point of no return and could gravely destabilise Bangladesh unless the sides move urgently to reduce tensions," said the ICG, an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation that works in the areas of preventing and resolving deadly conflict.
The most violent in Bangladesh's history, clashes between government and opposition groups marking the first anniversary of the 'deeply contested 2014 elections led to several deaths and scores injured, the Brussels-based ICG in its 'Asia Report' said.
The confrontation marks a new phase of the deadlock between the Awami League (AL) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which have swapped time in government with metronomic consistency since independence, it mentioned.
The report said a protracted and violent political crisis would leave Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia the ultimate losers, particularly if a major breakdown of law and order were to encourage the military to intervene; though there is as yet no sign of that.
Making a three-point observation, the ICG called upon both parties should restrain their violent activist base and take practical steps to reduce political tensions.
Firstly, the AL government should commit to a non-repressive response to political dissent, rein in and ensure accountability for abuses committed by law enforcement entities, reverse measures that curb civil liberties and assertively protect minority communities against attack and dispossession of properties and businesses, it said.
Secondly, the AL, according to the ICG, should invite the BNP, at lower levels of seniority if needed, to negotiations aimed at reviving the democratic rules of the game, including electoral reform. It should also hold mayoral elections in Dhaka, a long-overdue constitutional requirement that would provide opportunities to begin that dialogue.
And thirdly, the BNP should commit to non-violent political opposition; refrain from an alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami that is enhancing the Islamist opposition's street power with little political return for the BNP; and instead demonstrate willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations with the AL to end a crisis that is undermining economic growth and threatening to subvert the political order, it mentioned.
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