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Tarique vows to curb autocracy if BNP returns to power

We'll implement our 31-pt state reform proposals, he says

Published : Friday, 15 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 187
Staff Correspondent
BNP on Thursday in its 31-point outline for the reform of the state structure said no one shall serve as Prime Minister for over two consecutive terms and Prime Minister will not be  able to abuse power or emerge as an autocrat.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman disclosed the 31-point outline at a seminar at a hotel in the capital. Diplomats from various foreign missions stationed in Dhaka, members of civil society and representatives from different political parties attended the seminar.

Tarique said, "If we can return to power through people's mandate, the foundation of the country's governance will be the rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression. We will build Bangladesh in such a way so that no one, not even the Prime Minister, can abuse power or emerge as an autocrat."

"If entrusted with the people's mandate to govern, the BNP will restore freedom of expression for all citizens, regardless of political or organisational affiliations," he said, addressing a seminar on "31-Point Structural Reforms of the State and Citizens' Perspective" at a city hotel.

Tarique said, "31-point outline is the combination of framework drawn from BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's 19-point, vision 2030 of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 27-point state reformation outline of BNP and its likeminded political parties."
 
He said BNP always uphold freedom of media. Bangladesh's media will again have the freedom to 'speak the truth,' to critique the government openly, through investigative reports, political talk shows, comedy and satires.

Tarique said his party aims to build a Bangladesh where no individual not even the prime minister can abuse power with impunity.

"Accountability and transparency will be ensured at every level of the government, from the highest offices to the grassroots, so that we can reaffirm that no one is above the law," he said. 

Tarique also promised that BNP would eliminate extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force, politically motivated cases and trials, mass arrests without warrants, gross human rights violations and the culture of fear that has been fostered over the last 16 years.

"We will strive to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every citizen in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations," he said.

Tarique claimed that in the three months following the fall of fascism, BNP had taken numerous initiatives to modernise politics, all of which have been nurtured by the grassroots of BNP across the country.

The BNP leader said whenever anyone has committed crimes in the name of BNP, the party has taken swift organisational action as soon as it became known.

Tarique also said Awami League leaders and activists were involved in crimes such as murder, assault, rape and extortion during the 16-year rule of Sheikh Hasina, yet no action was taken against them by the party.

"As recent incidents show, even after the killing of more than one and a half thousand democracy-loving people in the mass upsurge, no leader of the Awami League has shown any remorse or self-criticism," he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said his party, along with over 50 other parties, had prepared the 31-point state reform proposal during the simultaneous movement against the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina.

He said the interim government, formed following the ousting of Hasina's regime, has already established various commissions to oversee state reforms.

"We believe the reform proposals that may emerge from these commissions will closely align with the 31-point outline. Therefore, we have decided to present the 31-point framework to the public once again," Fakhrul said.

On July 13, 2023, the BNP unveiled a 31-point outline aimed at "reforming" the constitution and state system, as well as ensuring the economic emancipation of the people. This proposal was developed in consultation with other parties that had participated in the simultaneous movement against the Awami League government.



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