Welcome dissent, not suppression: Jamaat Ameer

Opposition Leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the July Uprising was fought for freedom of expression, calling for the establishment of a new political culture that welcomes dissent rather than suppressing it.

In a post on his verified Facebook page early Thursday, Shafiqur Rahman said both the current ruling party and his party had suffered repression over the past 17 years under what he described as fascist rule.

"In the 17 years of fascism, both the present ruling party and we have been victims of suppression when it comes to freedom of expression. We do not want to return to that dark period," he wrote.

Highlighting the importance of press freedom, the Jamaat chief stated that media freedom is a fundamental precondition for a healthy democracy. "Let welcoming dissent - not suppressing it - be the foundation of a new political culture," he added.