Addressing diplomats in Dhaka on Sunday, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus called for sweeping reforms before holding the next general election. The meeting was Mr Yunus’ first with the diplomatic community after taking charge on August 8 following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mr Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took office amid a volatile political landscape that saw massive protests and violence that forced Ms Hasina out of power. In his address, Mr Yunus outlined the interim government’s roadmap for a stable and democratic Bangladesh, starting with free, fair and participatory elections.
“We will hold free, fair and participatory elections as soon as we fulfil our obligations to carry out crucial reforms in our election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces and media,” he told diplomats, including India’s High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma.
Restoring normalcy
On August 5, Ms Hasina, 76, flew by helicopter from Bangladesh to India as protesters took over the streets of Dhaka, marking a dramatic end to her 15-year rule marred by allegations of human rights abuses. The weeks leading up to her ouster were bloody, with more than 450 people killed during the unrest and numerous reports of attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community.
The chief adviser said restoring law and order in the country is his government’s top priority. “With the unwavering support of our people and patriotic armed forces, we will get closer to normalcy in a short time,” Mr Yunus said. “The interim government’s top priority will be to bring the law and order situation under control… The armed forces will continue to work in aid of civil power as long as the situation demands.”
Reviving the economy
In addition to political reforms, Mr. Yunus spoke about the need for strong economic reforms. The country suffered under Ms. Hasina’s “brutal dictatorship”, which, according to Mr. Yunus, led to widespread corruption and mismanagement.
“Our government will carry out far-reaching economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and sustain growth,” he said.
Mr Yunus accused Sheikh Hasina of systematically destroying the country’s institutions during her 15-year tenure. He alleged that elections were rigged and democratic rights were suppressed under Ms Hasina’s rule.
“In an effort to remain in power, the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship destroyed every institution in the country,” Yunus said. He described the judiciary as broken and accused the previous administration of using political patronage to loot banks and plunder the state treasury.
The Nobel laureate described the recent mass uprising as a “second revolution” led by students and ordinary citizens who wanted to reclaim their democratic rights.
International Support
In his message to the international community, Mr. Yunus called for continued support for Bangladesh’s reconstruction and transition to a fully functional democracy. He assured diplomats that Bangladesh would maintain its role as a supporter of multilateralism, with the United Nations at the center of its foreign policy.
“We believe that all our friends and partners in the international community will stand with our government and people as we chart a new democratic future,” Yunus said.
He said, “Bangladesh stands at the crossroads of a new beginning. Our brave students and people deserve lasting change in our nation. This is a difficult journey and we need your help along the way. We need to fulfill their aspirations. The sooner the better.”
Mr. Yunus also welcomed the UN decision to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the recent violence and expressed his commitment to fully cooperate with the international investigation.
