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Investigate corruption from 2001 to 2006 if you have courage: Nahid

Published : Friday, 18 September, 2026 at 6:26 PM

Observer online report

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has challenged the BNP government to investigate allegations of corruption during its previous tenure from 2001 to 2006.

“If you have the courage, investigate the corruption and allegations from 2001 to 2006,” he said.

Nahid made the remarks at a human chain organised by the NCP in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Friday afternoon to protest what the party described as the BNP government’s passage of laws violating human rights, suppression of dissent and deprivation of citizens’ fundamental rights.

He alleged that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was being restructured to target the NCP and the opposition.

Nahid said human and democratic rights had yet to be ensured in Bangladesh. He alleged that the government, which came to power promising to protect human rights, was creating laws and institutions that could create opportunities for rights violations.

“We carried out the mass uprising and fought to ensure the fundamental and democratic rights of the people. Those democratic, fundamental and human rights have still not been ensured in the country,” he said.

Referring to the disappearance of Miraj Sheikh, Nahid asked where he was and why there had been no information about him five months after his disappearance. He alleged that Miraj’s family had been harassed and that police initially refused to take a case.

He also criticised the filing of an Anti-Terrorism Act case against NCP activist Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir, saying the party did not support his alleged derogatory remarks against the head of government and had taken organisational action against him.

Nahid also criticised a similar case against Sifat in Gazipur, arguing that making offensive remarks or creating memes about BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not amount to terrorism.

He called for an end to the alleged misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act to protect freedom of expression.

Nahid also raised the alleged attack on Jatiya Chhatra Shakti activist Alif in Habiganj, saying opposition activists and dissenting voices were being suppressed.

He criticised proposed amendments to the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Act, the Human Rights Commission Act and the Cyber Security Act.

Nahid said investigations into allegations of enforced disappearance should be conducted through an independent and impartial mechanism. He also expressed concern that provisions for punishing complainants if allegations were proven false could discourage people from filing complaints.

Referring to cases of enforced disappearance of BNP leaders and activists, he said the BNP had demanded international investigations while in opposition but was now in government and not allowing investigations at the national level.

Nahid also alleged that the National Human Rights Commission had been turned into a government-controlled body and called for an independent mechanism to investigate enforced disappearances.

Referring to Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to the United Nations, Nahid questioned how the BNP chairman would respond to the international community about Bangladesh’s human rights situation.

“You are going there to represent the country. You are not going there to represent the BNP. It would have been better if you could have demonstrated national unity,” he said.

He further alleged that the government was preparing the police to suppress the opposition instead of carrying out police reforms and was weakening the Election Commission.

Nahid also accused the government of failing to ensure supplies of fuel, gas and electricity, provide good governance and implement the verdict of the referendum.

The NCP leader called for impartial investigations into allegations of enforced disappearance, independent functioning of the Human Rights Commission and safeguards for freedom of expression in the proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act.

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