Democracy in BD now under threat

Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has told visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Bangladesh's democracy is now under threat following the scrapping of the non-party caretaker government (CG) system. The BNP chairperson sought the United Nations' due role to this end as the UN plays an active role for establishing democracy in member states. Khaleda Zia made the allegation and plea when she had a meeting with Ban Ki-moon at a city hotel Monday evening, reports UNB. After a 45-minute meeting from 6:20pm, BNP Vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told journalists that Khaleda Zia apprised Ban Ki-moon that at the moment, democracy in Bangladesh is under risk. The opposition leader said the key reason for the dangerous posture of democracy is scrapping of the non-party CG provision from the Constitution through the 15th Amendment. She told Ban Ki-moon that following abolition of the CG provision there is no means to ensure exercise of free franchise for voters. The former Prime Minister said if future general election is held without major political parties it would not be acceptable to anyone. She expressed the hope that the UN will play its due role to help overcome the situation. Shamsher Mobin said responding to the BNP chairperson that the UN Secretary General took serious note of the issue. Ban Ki-moon said UN hopes and will carry out its efforts so that an atmosphere will be created for a credible election with participation of all. The UN will also discuss the matter with all political parties in Bangladesh. He also hoped that the BNP chief and her representatives will discuss the matter with all political parties. On the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to hold trial crimes against humanity, both Khaleda and Ban Ki-moon wanted to know each other's views. The UN chief said the trial must pertain to international standard. Khaleda said BNP wants trial of crimes against humanity but it must be fair, through maintaining international standards in the trial process so that it does not take on the role of a 'farce'. The BNP chairperson informed him that there are some technical weaknesses in the tribunal. Khaleda submitted to Ban Ki-moon a written paper on some weakness of the tribunal. Asked what the weaknesses are, Shamsher mentioned one of the weaknesses is that there is no scope for involvement of international lawyers to defend clients. During the meeting, the role of UN and role of Bangladesh in UN were discussed. Khaleda mentioned Bangladesh's extraordinary role in UN peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh contributes the highest number of solders to UN peacekeeping missions. She said this role of Bangladesh role will always continue. BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Khaleda's advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed were with the BNP chairperson during the meeting.