A high-level roundtable meeting was held in the House of Lords of the British Parliament, expressing concern about the political future of Bangladesh under the Yunus-led Jamaat-controlled interim government and the path to a democratic transition.
The speakers said that there is no alternative to quick, transparent and participatory elections to maintain stability and democracy in Bangladesh. The only way out of the country’s ongoing crisis is to organize a fair, free and impartial election as soon as possible.
The meeting, organized by the UK Bangla Press Club, an organization of Bengali media workers in Britain, was chaired by Baroness Paula Manjila Uddin, a member of the House of Lords. The main topic of the discussion was, โThe future of Bangladesh โ how to smoothly transfer power to a democratically elected government.โ
Apart from this, former adviser to the President of Bangladesh Mokhlesur Rahman Chowdhury, senior community leader Shahgir Bakht Faruk, Barrister Reza Chowdhury, Fakhrul Islam, Arif Al Mahfuz, Mahbubul Karim Sued, SM Shamsur Rahman Sumel, Tanvir Ahmed, Zahed Ahmed, Abdul Basit Chowdhury, Nishad Dastagir, Akhter Hossain Tutul, Barrister Mizanur Rahman, and journalist Emdadul Haque, among others, participated in the discussion.
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The speakers said that the main responsibility of the government that came to power with moral strength after the coup is to create an environment for a credible election. If the election is delayed or there is a lack of preparation, it can lead to public disappointment and a new political crisis.
In her speech as the chairwoman, Baroness Paula Manjila Uddin said that the government must now create a roadmap to meet the expectations of the people of Bangladesh, so that the democratic process can begin quickly.
Labour Party MPs Roshnara Ali and Rupa Haque emphasized democracy and good governance in Bangladesh in their speeches.
UK Bangla Press Club President and veteran journalist Reza Ahmed Faisal Chowdhury said at the event that the media is the voice of the people. The only way to overcome the failures and limitations of the current government is to complete all preparations for fair elections and show the nation a ray of hope.
Former Conservative Party MP Dr. Anewara Ali said that economic stability will come only if a democratic government is established.
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Labour Party Political Advisor Zahin Ahmed said that the UK Labour Party will support the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh High Commission Press Minister Akbar Hossain said the government is working towards holding a fair election.
Speaking at the meeting, UK Bangla Press Club Senior Vice President Munjer Ahmed Chowdhury said that more than a year has passed since the fall of the dictatorship. But there is no sign of meaningful change. The expectations that the people had for Dr. Yunus have not been fulfilled. We do not see the necessary preparations for the election after almost two decades. The only thing in the political arena now is the fight for power.
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