Diplomatic Correspondent //

The student uprising has opened a new door of possibilities in the radical reform of the existing state structure in Bangladesh. There is a desire to build a just and inclusive new Bangladesh by achieving democracy, good governance and prosperity through sustainable reforms. Bangladesh wants the world to support its new journey of democracy. The chief adviser of the interim government. Muhammad Yunus called upon the world community to re-engage to make the liberation and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh a reality.

In the speech given at the 79th session of the United Nations in New York yesterday. Yunus urged. The speech was broadcast live on the United Nations website. He spoke in Bengali.

As the head of the government of Bangladesh, this Nobel Peace Prize winning economist addressed the session of the United Nations General Assembly. He expected the cooperation of the international community by highlighting the taking of responsibility in the changing political situation, the aspirations of the people for Bangladesh, the initial steps of the interim government. He also mentioned Bangladesh’s responsibilities as a state in bilateral and international arenas. In his speech, Dr. highlighted various regional and international contemporary issues and mentioned the world of the future. Muhammad Yunus.

Student uprising

Referring to the changing political situation in Bangladesh, Dr. Yunus said, ‘In view of the revolutionary changes that took place in Bangladesh in July-August, today I was able to attend this great parliament of the world community. The immense power of our masses, especially the youth, has opened the door to a new possibility of radical transformation of our existing state structures and institutions.’

Dr. Yunus said that the movement of students and youth was basically an anti-discrimination movement. Gradually it turned into a mass movement. After that, the whole world watched in amazement how the entire people of Bangladesh stood firm against dictatorship, oppression, discrimination, injustice and corruption on the streets and through social media.

The Chief Adviser to the Interim Government pointed out that freedom from an autocratic and undemocratic regime has come through the indomitable determination and conviction of the students. He said that the future of the country lies in this collective determination, which will elevate Bangladesh to the status of a responsible nation in the world community.

Dr. Yunus said, this mass movement has united the vast masses of Bangladesh who are deprived of political rights and development. People fought for a fair, inclusive and effective democracy, for which new generations sacrificed their lives. He said, “Our young people stood up and ignored the gunshots. Our young women strongly voiced against the illegal state power. School-going teenagers sacrificed their lives without hesitation. Hundreds of people have lost their sight forever. Our mothers, day laborers and countless people of the city shouldered their children on the streets. In this people’s movement, as far as we know, we have lost more than 800 lives in the hands of dictatorial forces.

The chief advisor said, ‘Bangladesh state has emerged from people’s deep belief in liberalism, pluralism and secularism. The values ​​that our masses fought for in 1971 have been taught anew by our “Generation G” years later. We saw this in the language movement of 1952 when Bengali was established as the mother tongue. This coup in Bangladesh will inspire people in different parts of the world to stand for freedom and justice in the coming days.

During the most difficult period in the history of the people during the recent revolution
The brave armed forces of Bangladesh have once again proved their commitment to peace by standing firmly beside them to fulfill their desire for freedom, said Dr. Muhammad Yunus. “This has been made possible by placing human rights at the heart of our commitment to peace,” he said.

Dr. Yunus said that as the fourth largest country contributing to UN peacekeeping operations, Bangladesh has so far sent peacekeepers to 63 missions in 43 countries. 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers sacrificed their lives while serving in these missions. In any situation, despite various adversities, the members of the Bangladesh Defense Forces will have the opportunity to contribute in the same way in the future peacekeeping activities of the United Nations. Yunus expressed hope.

Justice, ethics and morality had disappeared-

Dr. Yunus said that after assuming office, the interim government saw how rampant corruption had turned a functioning democratic system into a shambles, how key institutions of the state were locked in a cycle of brutal partisanship, how people’s wealth was being looted ruthlessly, how a special interest group controlled all business and commerce. The wealth of the country has been freely smuggled out of the country by taking it into their own hands unjustly. In short, how justice, ethics and morality disappeared at every stage.

The chief adviser said, “Our main goal at the moment is to correct the mistakes of the past and build a competitive and strong economy and a just society.”

The aim is to bring back good governance.

Dr. Yunus called upon the world community to engage with the new Bangladesh to make the liberation and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh a reality and said, ‘We are determined to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of people. The people of our country will speak freely, assemble without fear, vote and elect the people of their choice—that is our goal. We are also committed to preserving the independence of the judiciary and consolidating media freedom, including in the cyber domain. Our aim is to bring back good governance at all levels of the state system.

Govt steps-

In his speech, Dr. mentioned the various important steps of the government within seven weeks since taking office. Yunus. He said, in response to Bangladesh’s request, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has sent a fact-finding team to Bangladesh to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the human rights violations committed during the mass protests and advise on how to prevent the recurrence of these incidents. For this Dr. Yunus thanked him profusely.

The head of the interim government said, “We have joined the international charter to prevent disappearances.” An investigation commission is currently working to investigate the disappearances that have been reported in Bangladesh for the past decade and a half.

In order to restore people’s trust and confidence and prevent the brutal past from returning, the interim government is giving priority to reforms in some specific sectors. Yunus mentioned. He said that for that purpose, an independent commission has been formed to reform the existing electoral system, constitution, judiciary, public administration and law and order system. Commissions are also in the process of being set up on several other issues, including a separate commission for reforming newspapers and media. In order to create a favorable environment for business and commerce, extensive reforms have been undertaken in the banking and financial sector.
Bangladesh is determined to ensure that no foreign business or investment is harmed.

Referring to the role of the government in the democratic transition, the chief adviser said that the government is working to ensure that these reforms are sustainable in the long term and to create an environment suitable for free, fair and participatory elections. In implementing the intention of manifesting itself as a justice-based society by achieving democracy, rule of law, equality and prosperity. Yunus called for wider and deeper support and cooperation of the international community to Bangladesh.

Dr. in the speech. Yunus stressed the need to stop the flow of illicit money and wealth from developing countries. For this, he spoke about strengthening international cooperation to bring back the smuggled resources from developing countries.
Three zero concepts

Dr. Urged to work simultaneously to deal with the climate crisis and consolidate the global economy on a global scale. Yunus. He mentioned that the world community is now focusing on building a carbon-free world. In this context, he proposed to achieve the goal of ‘three zeros’. Dr. “Through this we can achieve zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions,” Yunus said. Where every young person in the world will have the opportunity to establish himself as an entrepreneur instead of being a job seeker. They can develop their own creativity despite resource constraints, where a business venture can focus on striking a fine balance between social benefit, economic profit and responsibility towards nature, where through social business anyone can move from a consumerist lifestyle to a creative social and economic change. Can establish himself as a force.’

The Chief Adviser said, at this time, there is a need for new vision, new values ​​and new unity among all developed and developing countries and various partners. Overall, the UN system, governments at national and regional levels, all businesses, non-governmental actors (NGOs) and charities must work together to achieve this goal. He also called for massive investment in adaptation in climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.

Rohingya crisis-

The Rohingya crisis caused by Myanmar’s internal problems has become a cause of both traditional and non-traditional security risks for Bangladesh and the region, said Dr. Yunus. He said, “We are committed to help the Rohingya forcibly displaced from Myanmar to Bangladesh.” We call for continued humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya and adequate support from the international community for their sustainable repatriation. It is equally important to ensure justice through ongoing proceedings at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court for the widespread human rights violations committed against the Rohingya.

Call for a complete ceasefire in Palestine

In the speech of the chief advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh, the Middle East issue has gained importance. He said, despite the concern and condemnation of the world, the genocide in Gaza is not stopping. The existing reality of Palestine is not only a concern for Arabs or Muslims, but it is a concern for the entire mankind. The life of every Palestinian as a human being is priceless. All concerned must be held accountable for the crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people.

Dr. Yunus said, Bangladesh is calling for a complete ceasefire immediately to get rid of the ongoing atrocities on the people of Palestine, especially the cruelty to women and children that the world is constantly witnessing. Only a two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East. The international community, including the United Nations, must take initiatives for its implementation now.

Many people have lost their lives in the ongoing war in Ukraine for two and a half years. Yunus said, “The impact of this war is universal. Even the economy of Bangladesh is feeling its negative impact. We therefore call on both sides to end the war through dialogue and resolution of the conflict.

Dr. Yunus said that the government is determined to uphold the international, regional and bilateral agreements that Bangladesh is a party to. Bangladesh will continue to actively participate and contribute to multilateral world structures including the United Nations. Bangladesh is interested in maintaining friendly relations with all countries of the world on the basis of mutual respect, dignity and preservation of interests.

Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee at the United Nations

Dr. Yunus said, ‘This year we are celebrating the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s partnership with the United Nations. The last 50 years have been a mutually educational, collective journey for us. In limited ways, Bangladesh has consistently contributed to global peace and security, justice, equality, human rights, social progress and prosperity. Our concerted effort is to build a truly rules-based global system.’