Dhaka //

Noting that even the Prime Minister will not be able to be arbitrary in the future Bangladesh, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, ‘We want to ensure that in the future Bangladesh, no one, not even the Prime Minister, will be able to abuse power by being arbitrary. Starting from the highest level of the state, it will be ensured at every level of the government – ​​no one is above accountability, no one is above the law.’

He said these things in his speech as the chief guest from London at a seminar titled ‘Outline of State Structure Repair: Reform in the Light of 31 Points’ at the Lakeshore Hotel in the capital on Thursday via video conference.

Tarique Rahman said, ‘If the BNP gets the responsibility of running the state, we want to restore the freedom of expression of every citizen, regardless of party or opinion. Just like two decades ago, during the BNP government, the media in Bangladesh could fearlessly criticize the government and draw cartoons. You must remember that a section of the media published baseless news about me and the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia; they conducted media trials and propaganda campaigns. But in return, we did not silence any media outlet, harass anyone, or send any editor to jail.’

Tareq Rahman said, ‘In the last 16 years, my own, my party’s, and the pro-democracy forces, as well as many of you, have been completely stripped of their freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of association. With that realization in mind, we will ensure the freedom of expression of all citizens, especially human rights activists, journalists, and social influencers, InshaAllah.’

He said, ‘Our goal is to build a state structure where no one will be harassed for expressing their views on YouTube, Facebook, and other online platforms, or for commenting on important people including the Prime Minister. Just as the mainstream and social media will not be forced to hide the truth, the government will not pressure anyone to spread false information. However, the responsibility of building the country is everyone’s and we expect a neutral and responsible role from the media.’

Tarique Rahman said, ‘The culture of fear that has developed in the last 16 years through extrajudicial killings, disappearances, excessive use of force, politically motivated cases and trials, mass arrests without warrants and extreme human rights violations – the BNP government elected by the people’s vote will make every effort to eradicate it. In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights formulated by the United Nations, we will try to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every citizen.’

The acting chairman of the BNP further said, ‘The change of power does not only mean the transfer of state power from one party to another, but the change of power should be the beginning of a political culture where the changing conditions of society and the aspirations of the people are reflected.’

He said, “You must remember that during Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule, Awami League leaders and activists were involved in crimes like unlimited murder, assault, rape, and extortion, but there is no history of punishing them as a party. Recent events show that even after killing more than 1,500 democracy-loving people in a mass uprising, there is no example of any Awami League leader showing any remorse, regret, or self-criticism. On the other hand, we all know that there are false cases against 6 million BNP leaders and activists. Even then, if someone is involved in any crime using the name of such a huge organization, we quickly took organizational steps as soon as we came to know about it. After August 5, the law and order situation in the country collapsed, there was an absence of police. At that time, BNP as a party stood by the common people, kept the country safe, ensured public security and stability of the state. It has prevented violence and ensured coexistence without getting involved in the politics of revenge.’

Tareq Rahman said, ‘During the puja, BNP leaders and activists stood by to protect all people, including Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, by guarding temples and places of worship to prevent the conspiracies of the allies of fascism. The freedom fighters liberated Bangladesh at the cost of millions of lives so that every citizen, regardless of religion, caste, or geographical or ideological position, can enjoy his religious, political, cultural and social rights without hindrance. That is why we do not consider anyone as a so-called minority even in independent Bangladesh. The policy of BNP is to ensure equal rights and security for every citizen. The ideology of this Bangladeshi nationalism is the politics of BNP. We believe that religion, party and opinion belong to everyone, but the state belongs to everyone.

He said, “The 31-point discussion we have had here today will redefine the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and show the light of aspiration to the people who want change. This outline of repairing the state structure has been prepared based on the 19 points of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the Vision 2030 of national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, the public involvement and political experience of BNP, based on the 27 points initially given, which later became 31 points with the consensus of all the political parties involved in the simultaneous democratic movement.”

The acting chairman of BNP said, “Currently, almost all the reform proposals discussed in the country are included in our 31 points. I understand the purpose of reform as that through reforms, not just a few sentences of the constitution, but the fate of the people will change. That is, a person’s income will be provided, and his and his family’s socio-economic security and savings will be ensured. I understand reform as that which will solve the unemployment problem of every woman and man through employment. Reforms that will ensure the respect, freedom and empowerment of women. Reforms that will ensure the safety of all people’s lives, reforms that will form modern education and moral values ​​of the country’s children, reforms that will provide people with the desired healthcare, reforms that will keep the prices of daily necessities stable in the market. I understand reform as that which will ensure fair and due wages for farmers, workers and all working people.’

He said, ‘To ensure that the authoritarian system does not repeat in Bangladesh, BNP wants to put such a system in the constitution that no one can become the Prime Minister more than two times in a row. We want to maintain a balance of power between the law, judiciary and executive branches. We want to introduce a bicameral parliamentary system to ensure the representation and participation of the intelligentsia of the society in running the state.’

Tareq Rahman said, ‘Our goal is to provide employment for the youth and the unemployed, and to introduce unemployment allowance according to qualifications until employment is available. We want to ensure women’s participation at all levels, grassroots empowerment and the implementation of the historic canal cutting program again. We want to bring radical changes in all areas – health, education, agriculture, energy, climate, economy. So that skilled human resources are created; export-oriented industries and remittances from expatriates increase; a merit-based state system is established. Decentralization of power, universal healthcare, fair prices for farmers and producers, demand-based education and multilingual training, multi-faceted communication system and phased housing facilities and social security for all – I believe that these plans are a consensus vision for building a modern Bangladesh with balanced and equal rights regardless of religion, caste, tribe, group, plains or hills.’

He said, ‘The 31 points can be added, subtracted, rearranged or changed to adapt to the environment, situation, needs of the country and the needs of the people. But it will be through stakeholder consultation and public consensus. Over time, these 31 points will one day open the door to achieving our long-term goal – a happy and self-reliant Bangladesh. Which will be known on the world map as a progressive state that is self-sufficient in agriculture, successful in industrialization, dynamic in economy, rich in human resources and socially united.’

Tareq Rahman said, ‘I want to say that for the past 16 years and in the July-August mass uprising, every individual, party, organization and group who were involved in the anti-fascist movement, every person, party, organization and group for democracy – with due recognition of their sacrifices, respecting the participation of people of every class, profession and opinion, restoring the looted voting rights and establishing a truly democratic Bangladesh with the mandate of the people.’