Getting out of political turmoil

The Dhaka-based foreign diplomats have expressed concern about the prevailing political situation in the country. The European Union (EU) is concerned about shrinking of democratic space in the country. The envoys of EU member-countries raised this issue during a briefing by the Foreign Minister on January 14. The Foreign Minister talked about the steps taken by the government to confront the violent situation.  The US, the British High Commission and the EU mission showed their concern about the shooting of former State Minister Reaz Rahman and condemned this incident. They requested the government to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to justice.

In a regular consultation meeting, the Foreign Minister exchanged views with diplomats located in Dhaka in the state guest house Padma regarding the prevailing political situation in Bangladesh. The EU diplomats had desired to meet the Foreign Minister and formally requested for holding the meeting. In response, the Foreign Ministry arranged this briefing. Similar briefings will also be held with the diplomats of other countries/regions. Apart from the head of the EU delegation, the British High Commissioner, the ambassadors from France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark were present in the briefing. Outside the EU, the ambassadors of Russia, Norway, Switzerland and the Vatican were present. The State Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Secretary were also present in the briefing.

The head of the EU delegation raised a number of issues in course of the briefing. The EU wanted to intensify relationship with Bangladesh but for this purpose, it sought a conducive atmosphere such as peace and stability. The EU condemned the loss of lives and destruction of property. The EU envoy expressed concern about shrinking of political space. The steps for bringing peace and stability should not be at the expense of movement and rallies of people and freedom of speech. The EU encouraged the parties to shun violence and find out the path of strengthening democracy and sit for genuine dialogue. The UK continues to urge all parties to exercise restraint and moderation and respect the rule of law and to come together in a dialogue to break the cycle of violence and disruption.

As a result of locking the central office of BNP and the confinement of the BNP Chairperson to her office premises [additional police and barricade put in front of Khaleda Zia's office in Gulshan on Janaury 05 were removed in the early hours of Monday], the political landscape of the country is changing fast. The country has turned into a battlefield. People are dying. Acts of arson are galore and properties are being destroyed. People are afraid. It is not clear what is going to happen next. Democracy may be endangered. Initiative will have to be taken to resolve the political crisis. A fair election has to be arranged under non-party government. Politics of division has to be avoided. We should not create a situation for the rise of evil forces.

The transportation system has broken down because of blockade and hartal. Goods-laden trucks and cars are coming to a halt. Vegetables are rotting on the roads and in the fields. Tanks, lorries, covered vans and containers are not plying on a regular basis. Work in Chittagong and Mongla ports has been stalled. Export cargoes are held up on the roads. Businessmen can not reach banks in time to open letters of credit. Import- export activities are often halted in ports. Inter -district and long distance buses are sitting idle. Opening of letters of credit in banks has gone down abnormally.

A high-level BNP delegation on the January 15 held a meeting with diplomats of different foreign missions in Dhaka at the Gulshan residence of BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan. The BNP leaders sought support from the diplomats to convince the government to sit with the opposition for dialogue. Diplomats expressed concern over violence during the ongoing blockade. They pointed to Khaleda Zia's confinement to her office premises and the gun attack on her adviser Reaz Rahman. But neither side formally briefed the media over the outcome of the meeting.

Jatiya party Chairman HM Ershad and Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu had a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner at his residence on the same day. Also the head of the delegation of the European Union during his meeting with the Finance Minister expressed concern over political impasse.

Although life is more or less normal in Dhaka during blockade, the capital is separated from outside districts. Transportation of commodities is deadlocked. The situation has become vulnerable due to clandestine attacks. Drivers and helpers are not feeling safe in spite of police escort. Train schedules have been upset because of sabotage. Travelling public are in trouble. Prices of essentials have increased significantly due to ongoing blockade that has paralysed the capital's transportation with the rest of the country. Produces of the farmers are lying in the fields for want of pick-ups.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over the political situation in Bangladesh. The deepening political violence resulting from failure of the two major political parties to resolve their differences peacefully is very disturbing. The government has to ensure that the arrest and detention of key opposition leaders by law enforcement agencies is not arbitrary. All measures taken to restore law and order are to be conducted in line with the parameters set by international human rights law, including respect for freedom of peaceful assembly, movement and speech.

In the past, the international community urged the two major parties to resolve their differences through dialogue. The UN in particular took the initiative for consensus building before the last general election. But such efforts did not work. It also did not work during the movement for caretaker government. This experience is most likely to repeat itself in the context of current impasse.

The writer is an economist and columnist. [email protected]