Polls outcome doubtful if held under emergency: UK envoy
FE Report | Monday, 7 July 2008
Newly appointed British High Commissioner Stephen Evans on Sunday said his government wants to see progress towards the lifting of state of emergency during the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh which is scheduled for December this year.
"The outcome of the coming general election in Bangladesh will always be doubtful if held under the state of emergency," Evans said in his maiden press conference hours after presenting his credentials to the President. "General consensus is, ideally you do not have the state of emergency when you have general elections," he added.
He said Britain wants to see an election participated by all political parties, wide range of candidates, greater level of campaign and significant voter turnout. "It's not the international community but upto the people of Bangladesh to accept the result of the elections," Evans said when asked whether the elections would be acceptable to the international community if any major party boycotts it.
Welcoming the constructive dialogue between the government and the parties, he said the best way to resolve all issues is through a structured dialogue. Asked about reported torture of politicians in jail custody, the envoy said the British government would never condone torture under any circumstances and wants safety and basic rights of the prisoners.
Replying to a question about one former Prime Minister being abroad and another in jail, Evans said the legal process should be taken forward in a way that respects the rights of individuals and allows them to defend those appropriately in the court of law.
About the curbs on free media, the envoy said he would urge the Bangladesh authorities to ensure that the press freedom is ensured and those who work for the media are protected.
"A free, responsible and vibrant media is a vital institution in such democracies -- an institution to be valued and nurtured. A free media is a vibrant media," he said. The British envoy hoped that the media, in return should rise to the challenge of encouraging constructive participation by all parties in the democratic process, offering objective, balanced and critical analysis in the run-up to the election.
He said UK's Department for International Development (DFID) will raise its contribution to $ 300 million by 2010 from the current level of $ 228 million a year. Asked about the prospects of British assistance in case elections cannot be held as per roadmap and democracy cannot be restored, he said the aid programmes function effectively under a democratic government that can ensure the delivery of the aid for targeted people.
About the climate change conference in London, DFID Deputy Country Representative Sarah Sanyahumbi said the British government organised the conference on September 10 to draw international attention to Bangladesh facing adverse impacts of the climate change.
British Deputy High Commissioner Duncan Norman and British Council Director Dr June Rollinson also spoke at the press conference.
"The outcome of the coming general election in Bangladesh will always be doubtful if held under the state of emergency," Evans said in his maiden press conference hours after presenting his credentials to the President. "General consensus is, ideally you do not have the state of emergency when you have general elections," he added.
He said Britain wants to see an election participated by all political parties, wide range of candidates, greater level of campaign and significant voter turnout. "It's not the international community but upto the people of Bangladesh to accept the result of the elections," Evans said when asked whether the elections would be acceptable to the international community if any major party boycotts it.
Welcoming the constructive dialogue between the government and the parties, he said the best way to resolve all issues is through a structured dialogue. Asked about reported torture of politicians in jail custody, the envoy said the British government would never condone torture under any circumstances and wants safety and basic rights of the prisoners.
Replying to a question about one former Prime Minister being abroad and another in jail, Evans said the legal process should be taken forward in a way that respects the rights of individuals and allows them to defend those appropriately in the court of law.
About the curbs on free media, the envoy said he would urge the Bangladesh authorities to ensure that the press freedom is ensured and those who work for the media are protected.
"A free, responsible and vibrant media is a vital institution in such democracies -- an institution to be valued and nurtured. A free media is a vibrant media," he said. The British envoy hoped that the media, in return should rise to the challenge of encouraging constructive participation by all parties in the democratic process, offering objective, balanced and critical analysis in the run-up to the election.
He said UK's Department for International Development (DFID) will raise its contribution to $ 300 million by 2010 from the current level of $ 228 million a year. Asked about the prospects of British assistance in case elections cannot be held as per roadmap and democracy cannot be restored, he said the aid programmes function effectively under a democratic government that can ensure the delivery of the aid for targeted people.
About the climate change conference in London, DFID Deputy Country Representative Sarah Sanyahumbi said the British government organised the conference on September 10 to draw international attention to Bangladesh facing adverse impacts of the climate change.
British Deputy High Commissioner Duncan Norman and British Council Director Dr June Rollinson also spoke at the press conference.