State of Emergency, elections in Bangladesh in western eyes
Saturday, 16 February 2008
The moot question today is when and how the 12-month-old state of emergency will be lifted to pave the way for the promised elections to parliament, reports UNB.
Whisperings are also having their rounds whether the promised polls will be credible and inclusive.
And there is also the question whether the military-backed and donor-supported caretaker government will overstay the welcome period if the polls cannot be held as per the set roadmap.
This past couple of weeks, people in the political circle, think tanks as well as western politicians and diplomats have been dwelling on these fundamental questions so vital to a smooth transition to democratic strategy from an interim period.
Although Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government has pledged to withdraw restrictions on open politics, gradual lifting of the emergency and open dialogue with parties, there is no credible move yet in sight.
Recently, British Foreign Minister David Miliband, principal deputy assistant secretary of US State Department Donald Camp, US Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh James F Moriarty and German Ambassador in Bangladesh Frank Meyke made some cautious observations on these intricate issues.
Although these political and diplomatic figures from the western world, who are close development partners as well, were not too strong and specific about these sensitive questions. But they made it sufficiently clear that they would like to see the state of emergency lifted and elections held by December at the latest.
It appears that the United States and the EU countries hold subtly different views on lifting of the emergency though both have been putting pressure on the Bangladesh government to hold the elections for quick restoration of civilian rule as committed by the Election Commission and the caretaker government.
Miliband came to Bangladesh on February 8 on a 38-hour visit and talked to the government and opposition figures, the army chief and NGO representatives. During the talks, he mainly discussed pre-election politics as well as issues like lifting of the emergency and dealing with corruption cases following the due process and international standard.
Talking to reporters before leaving, Miliband said: "A full functioning democracy cannot operate under the state of emergency. We think, it is important to lift the state of emergency to all intent possible and the message is received as well."
The British Foreign Secretary did not say if he has got any specific indication from the government side about the time of lifting the emergency or whether it would be partial or full withdrawal, but British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury said it should be lifted as early as practical.
Miliband said he was assured by army chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed that the military would remain away from politics but will help the nation for a speedy transition to genuine democracy.
Echoing Miliband, German Ambassador in Bangladesh Frank Meyke said the emergency should be lifted carefully calibrated to progress on the election roadmap. He stressed reforms within the parties ahead of the elections on points of choosing party leadership through democratic process and accountability of funds. However, a few days ago EU Ambassador Stefan Frowein categorically said no donor want to see state of emergency in any country.
Miliband said: "In our discussions with the caretaker government in last 13 months, we have always been focussed not on how they came into power but how they can get out of power and how a clean, fair and effective democracy could be achieved in Bangladesh."
The British Foreign Secretary encouraged constructive dialogue between the caretaker government and the political parties and reminded mutual responsibilities of the two sides to contribute to the transition to full democracy.
On his return to London, Miliband told Bangladesh-British journalists at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the British government does not want to see Kenya model elections in Bangladesh.
Drawing a finer line with Europeans observations, US principal deputy assistant secretary Donald Camp said, "sooner the state of emergency is lifted better, sooner elections could be held better for Bangladesh."
With an identical voice, US Ambassador-designate Moriarty said Washington wants that the caretaker government move as quickly as possible to take additional steps to restore civic freedoms and democracy.
Moriarty made the remarks at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington on February 6 during a confirmation hearing on his ambassadorial job.
Senator John F Kerry (D-MA), who chaired the hearing, said this is a trying and troubling time for Bangladesh.
Kerry who had contested in the last US presidential race against President Bush said: "We have a very strong interest in maintaining strong relations with Bangladesh, but we also hope that Bangladesh is going to continue as a moderating voice in the Islamic world."
He noted, "We also can't lose fact that we need to restore full civil and political rights to all the citizens of Bangladesh."
Kerry mentioned that in May last year, he wrote a letter with Senators Biden, Lugar and others urging the Chief Adviser to immediately lift emergency rule and announce a timeline for free and fair elections.
He said although emergency rule is still in place, the government has announced elections by the end of 2008; it's very important these be transparent and held as scheduled.
In his deposition, Moriarty said that in Bangladesh, US interests revolve around three inter-twined "d's": democracy, development, and denial of space to terrorism.
He said the US has urged the caretaker government to move as quickly as possible to take additional steps to restore civic freedoms, democracy and fair elections according to announced roadmap.
Moriarty said Washington also monitors the court cases brought against those detained during the State of Emergency, including the two former Prime Ministers. He said the United States - along with like minded partners -- has advised the caretaker government that it must meet international standards for due process, transparency and respect for human rights in all cases.
As Senator Kerry asked what does he think as to whether the military is resolved to withdraw from the political domain and facilitate transition, Moriarty said: "They continue to say so, sir. The chief adviser, who of course is the chief civilian official, has repeated his commitment to this timetable of elections by the end of this year."
Whisperings are also having their rounds whether the promised polls will be credible and inclusive.
And there is also the question whether the military-backed and donor-supported caretaker government will overstay the welcome period if the polls cannot be held as per the set roadmap.
This past couple of weeks, people in the political circle, think tanks as well as western politicians and diplomats have been dwelling on these fundamental questions so vital to a smooth transition to democratic strategy from an interim period.
Although Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government has pledged to withdraw restrictions on open politics, gradual lifting of the emergency and open dialogue with parties, there is no credible move yet in sight.
Recently, British Foreign Minister David Miliband, principal deputy assistant secretary of US State Department Donald Camp, US Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh James F Moriarty and German Ambassador in Bangladesh Frank Meyke made some cautious observations on these intricate issues.
Although these political and diplomatic figures from the western world, who are close development partners as well, were not too strong and specific about these sensitive questions. But they made it sufficiently clear that they would like to see the state of emergency lifted and elections held by December at the latest.
It appears that the United States and the EU countries hold subtly different views on lifting of the emergency though both have been putting pressure on the Bangladesh government to hold the elections for quick restoration of civilian rule as committed by the Election Commission and the caretaker government.
Miliband came to Bangladesh on February 8 on a 38-hour visit and talked to the government and opposition figures, the army chief and NGO representatives. During the talks, he mainly discussed pre-election politics as well as issues like lifting of the emergency and dealing with corruption cases following the due process and international standard.
Talking to reporters before leaving, Miliband said: "A full functioning democracy cannot operate under the state of emergency. We think, it is important to lift the state of emergency to all intent possible and the message is received as well."
The British Foreign Secretary did not say if he has got any specific indication from the government side about the time of lifting the emergency or whether it would be partial or full withdrawal, but British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury said it should be lifted as early as practical.
Miliband said he was assured by army chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed that the military would remain away from politics but will help the nation for a speedy transition to genuine democracy.
Echoing Miliband, German Ambassador in Bangladesh Frank Meyke said the emergency should be lifted carefully calibrated to progress on the election roadmap. He stressed reforms within the parties ahead of the elections on points of choosing party leadership through democratic process and accountability of funds. However, a few days ago EU Ambassador Stefan Frowein categorically said no donor want to see state of emergency in any country.
Miliband said: "In our discussions with the caretaker government in last 13 months, we have always been focussed not on how they came into power but how they can get out of power and how a clean, fair and effective democracy could be achieved in Bangladesh."
The British Foreign Secretary encouraged constructive dialogue between the caretaker government and the political parties and reminded mutual responsibilities of the two sides to contribute to the transition to full democracy.
On his return to London, Miliband told Bangladesh-British journalists at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the British government does not want to see Kenya model elections in Bangladesh.
Drawing a finer line with Europeans observations, US principal deputy assistant secretary Donald Camp said, "sooner the state of emergency is lifted better, sooner elections could be held better for Bangladesh."
With an identical voice, US Ambassador-designate Moriarty said Washington wants that the caretaker government move as quickly as possible to take additional steps to restore civic freedoms and democracy.
Moriarty made the remarks at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington on February 6 during a confirmation hearing on his ambassadorial job.
Senator John F Kerry (D-MA), who chaired the hearing, said this is a trying and troubling time for Bangladesh.
Kerry who had contested in the last US presidential race against President Bush said: "We have a very strong interest in maintaining strong relations with Bangladesh, but we also hope that Bangladesh is going to continue as a moderating voice in the Islamic world."
He noted, "We also can't lose fact that we need to restore full civil and political rights to all the citizens of Bangladesh."
Kerry mentioned that in May last year, he wrote a letter with Senators Biden, Lugar and others urging the Chief Adviser to immediately lift emergency rule and announce a timeline for free and fair elections.
He said although emergency rule is still in place, the government has announced elections by the end of 2008; it's very important these be transparent and held as scheduled.
In his deposition, Moriarty said that in Bangladesh, US interests revolve around three inter-twined "d's": democracy, development, and denial of space to terrorism.
He said the US has urged the caretaker government to move as quickly as possible to take additional steps to restore civic freedoms, democracy and fair elections according to announced roadmap.
Moriarty said Washington also monitors the court cases brought against those detained during the State of Emergency, including the two former Prime Ministers. He said the United States - along with like minded partners -- has advised the caretaker government that it must meet international standards for due process, transparency and respect for human rights in all cases.
As Senator Kerry asked what does he think as to whether the military is resolved to withdraw from the political domain and facilitate transition, Moriarty said: "They continue to say so, sir. The chief adviser, who of course is the chief civilian official, has repeated his commitment to this timetable of elections by the end of this year."