Timing of polls ‘a political decision’

Urging the people to set the interim government’s tenure and mandate, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said when the elections will be held is “completely a political decision”.

“Everyone is eager to know when our government will depart. The answer lies in your hands. It is up to you to decide when to bid us farewell. We are not the people to rule the country,” he said in a 26-minute televised address to the nation yesterday evening.

He went on to request the people to discuss and prescribe what is the least the interim government needs to do.

“We can get a guideline from this discussion,” Yunus said, adding, “But the political decision is the ultimate decision. And political decisions will only come from political discussion.”

In his first address to the nation, the chief adviser also assured that he would not seek to extend his tenure.

He said the members of the advisory council took up the responsibilities at the call of the students and have been carrying out their duties with utmost diligence as a team.

Seeking blessings from the people, he said the government does not want to lose the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh, earned through the blood of the students and the people.

“If we lose this opportunity now, we will be defeated as a nation. We want to remain committed to the martyrs, the injured, and the surviving students so that we do not lose this achievement.”

He said local government institutions will be empowered, and decentralisation of power will be ensured to strengthen democracy.

Necessary reforms to the administration, judiciary, Election Commission and the electoral system, and law and order would be made to ensure free flow of information and a free, fair, and participatory election.

“The aim of these [reforms] will be the initiation of an accountable political system against corruption, looting, and genocide,” Yunus said.

The chief adviser said after the fascist government leader fled the country in the face of public wrath, they want to build a country where the human rights of every citizen are completely protected.

“We have one goal — an open, democratic, exploitation-free, and non-communal Bangladesh. We are one family. We have one goal. We are committed to ensuring that no division can disrupt our dream,” said the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

He said Bangladesh was built with the supreme sacrifice of several millions, but it has been destroyed by fascism and tyranny.

The country had been changed so much that even an autocrat’s peon can accumulate illegal wealth of Tk 400 crore without any obstruction.

“They have crippled the education sector; looted banks and the stock market; set world records in project expenditures; plundered resources openly; turned law enforcement agencies into puppets of their party; snatched away freedom of speech; and violated human rights. These are just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

To consolidate power, he said, “The fascist government curbed the people’s constitutional power and rights. Their misrule, corruption, injustice, repression, and farce in the name of justice endangered public safety.”

Millions of people were deprived of their voting rights for years and the autocrat not only took the nation’s ownership, it also handed it over to its families and party people, he said.

Yunus thanked the people for their support for his government’s efforts to bring reforms and said, “We realise that you have high expectations of us. We are determined to meet these expectations.”

However, the long-standing absence of democracy and 15 years of fascist rule left the interim government with challenges as big as mountains.

“But we are ready to take up the challenge,” he said, urging all to have patience.

He called on all not to force the immediate fulfilment of their demands, threaten individuals at work, mount pressure to lodge cases, or attack people at courts.

“These actions will tarnish the glory and potential of the revolution of student and people, and hinder the efforts to build a new Bangladesh,” Yunus said.

He said the government had to begin the job of rebuilding the country on a fragile structure, which is contrary to public interest.

The government wants to build Bangladesh in such a way that the people become the source of all power in the true sense. “We must succeed in the task of reforming… There is no alternative to this.”

DON’T OBSTRUCT OUR WORK

Regarding agitations and road blocks by different groups for realising their demands, Prof Yunus said rallies have been held daily at the Secretariat, around his office, and in various places in the city.

“We understand that you have suffered a lot and have grievances pent-up over the past 16 years. If you do not let us work, all paths to reducing the sufferings will remain closed. My earnest request to you that allow us to work,” he said.

The chief adviser urged the agitating groups to submit their demands to them in writing and assured everyone of taking measures to solve the issues in line with the law.

MEASURES FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

Prof Yunus said the government took all-out measures at government and private levels to ensure that the flood-hit people return to a normal life at the soonest.

“We have initiated discussions so that we can work together with neighbouring countries and domestic stakeholders to prevent floods in future,” he said.

INSTRUCTIONS TO FORCES

Prof Yunus alleged that the army, police, BGB, and Rab have been disgraced as they were used for enforced disappearances and torture.

“They are the pride of the country. We do not want to see the image of an entire force get tarnished due to some overenthusiastic members.

“We want to identify the criminals and punish them so that no member of the patriotic forces, police, or Rab dares to engage in murder, enforced disappearances, or torture at anyone’s command,” he said.

Prof Yunus further said that he instructed the defence forces, police, and all other forces to identify and bring to justice those among them who were directly involved in murder, enforced disappearances, killings, or physical and mental torture.

Lists of those who have been made to disappear or were murdered are being prepared, he said.

He said the government is also at the final stages of establishing a “July Genocide Memorial Foundation”, led by him, to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the mass uprising.

CORRUPTION

The chief adviser said a committee has already been formed to prepare a white paper on the corruption, money laundering, anti-public interest agreements, looting in the name of projects, and other crimes committed over the last 15 years.

“The entire country is submerged in a sea of bribery. Please advise us on how we can get out of this. If we can advance on this issue, I believe this government will have left an important contribution to the country,” he said.

‘WE ARE ALL EQUAL’

Putting emphasis on the need for unity, Prof Yunus said the government’s responsibility is to bind all people of the country as a family.

“There will be disagreements in a family. There will be arguments. But we are brothers and sisters; we are parents. We are not enemies of each other. We will not consider anyone an enemy because of their opinions, religion, or gender.

“We all are equal. No one is above or below anyone else. We would like to establish this concept in all areas of national life,” he said.

REFORMS IN SECTORS

The chief adviser talked about reform initiatives in various sectors, including banking, judiciary, police, education, health, and agriculture.

He said the government took initiatives to ensure good governance in the banking sector, which was turned into a den of “plunderers and the corrupt”.

Skilled personnel are being recruited in this sector, he said, adding that a banking commission will be formed for long-term reforms in the sector.

He said a roadmap will be prepared and made public soon.

Immediate measures are being taken to address the extreme disorder in the stock market, transportation sector, and other areas. Besides, steps were taken to control the prices of essential commodities and inflation.

He said efforts were being made to free the judiciary from corruption and political influence. Measures were taken through a specific process to ensure the independence and accountability of the judiciary.

“Justice will be ensured for all extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, murders, abductions, and other heinous crimes committed by the fascist government. Everyone involved in these crimes will be brought to justice.

“Steps have been taken, including becoming a party to the international convention on enforced disappearances,” he said.

Prof Yunus said a police commission will be formed to make the force people-centric, politically neutral, and accountable.

Necessary reforms will be made under the commission’s leadership in line with the UN investigation and other agencies’ reports, he said, adding, “Measures will be taken to ensure that no one can turn Bangladesh into a police state ever again.”

Prof Yunus asserted that the free flow of information and freedom of the press will be ensured.

Legal and other barriers to free flow of information will be removed and repressive provisions in laws that obstruct freedom of expression will be amended, he said.

“We are committed to ensuring people’s right to information.”

He said the previous government unleashed anarchy in the education sector and this government’s top priority will be massive reforms to the sector. The curriculum will also be updated promptly.

Yunus said, “All of our advisers will disclose their assets in the shortest possible time. This will be made regular and mandatory for all government officials gradually.”

He said an ordinance will be enacted to appoint an Ombudsman in line with the constitution.

The chief adviser mentioned that necessary reforms will be brought to the health sector while farmers’ interests will be protected so that they receive fair prices for their produce.

He said, “Development that destroys and pollutes rivers, canals, wetlands, hills, forests, soil, and air is not sustainable in the long term. Our government will give utmost importance to protecting the environment and climate.”

Yunus said the government will maintain friendly relations with all countries and the foreign policy will be based on mutual trust, faith, and cooperation.

Through political unity, necessary reforms will ensure that women, children, people with disabilities, religious minorities, indigenous people, and all citizens of this country are entitled to equal protection under the law, he said.