fredag 25 juni 2010

Speaking of human rights, tolerance and road to democracy




by Anisur Rahman

So, what's the difference between a democracy and autocracy? Sheikh Hasina’s or or Khaleda Zia’s government and military controlled one in Bangladesh? How does democracy's patter rate alongside autocracy's? What is the meaning of human rights in my country? What is tolerance? And, what is our road to democracy?

These are the pointers connecting the deliberation made by Swedish writer, politician and member in European Parliament Cecilia Wikström dated June 23 at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University.

Let’s look into those and how they exist in Bangladesh aftermath of the end of a military controlled autocratic caretaker administration through parliamentary elections in December 2008. Now one can see electoral democracy is functioning. This is the condition that helps politicians in sharing powers in politics as well as administration. That is not all. Democracy means to me equal access to every existing right in the country ensuring transparency and accountability having extreme detachment from corruption. It can easily be said there is no equality in society in Bangladesh. Administration is not so transparent as we expect in our dreaming democracy. Accountability is not in practice.

Parliament is not functioning as we expect in parliamentary democracy. Both ruling coalition and opposition alliance are responsible for this. Advisers to PM are in exercise of executive power having no accountability and transparency. PM’s adviser on education and social affairs Dr Alauddin Ahmed invited controversies and was over active beyond his jurisdiction over the issue of monthly payment order program of education ministry. The other adviser HT Imam interfered in ministry’s function notably at law ministry.

Ministers concerned are nervous in taking decision. Minister for food and disaster management Dr Abdur Razzak has been failed to come up with help to save the Aila victims on the coastal areas. On the other hand, he is alleged for having bosom relation with militant’s patronizer Jamaat-Islami leader and principal of Madhupur College Montaz Ali.

Media is not free. Journalists are not safe either from militancy sometimes from power corridors. Two newspaper and a television channel have been shut down. Government should come up with the help of survival of those media houses. If there was any legal weakness, that could be solved in court. This is not good sign to close down of media houses, that created unemployment, fear of investment in media industry, feeling of job insecurity. That will definitely disturb the road to democracy.

Justice is denied to many. Notably ethnic minority community Garo leader Cholesh Richil was killed in 2007 by military. No case has yet been filed against the culprit. No initiative has been taken to investigate the killing.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has killed more than six hundred people since its foundation in 2004. It was expected the government would dissolve this notorious force and punish the responsible elements. Rather government is still allowing this force to kill people ensuring legal immunity.

Against this backdrop, despite seeing good signs of electoral democracy aftermath of successful election in Chittagong City Corporation, I would like to say, the country is on the road to democracy, but does not follow the road signals always. That is the concern, a big concern.

It seems government is serious to try the war criminals in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Without functional democracy, accountable administration, transparency in governance, controlling political offences by the ruling party elements, freeing from extortion, grabbing and corruption, it will not be easy to try the war criminals who are enjoying strong international network and financial supports.

Independent Human Rights Commission seems meaningless to me when we see poor workers in garment factories are fighting for getting their reasonable minimum wage. It is really shame when we know a worker gets some 1600 BDT (equivalent to nearly 23 US dollar) per month. The corrupt dishonest owners are cheating with them. Police are harassing them. It must have an end. This is one strong irony against the human rights commission. It is alarming that one member in the newly formed commission is alleged for rape and abuse. A committee at Dhaka University is investigating the allegation.

Political tolerance is still questionable. Ruling party’s students’ wing is not allowing the entry of opposition party’s student leaders to Dhaka University. On the other hand, the ruling party student elements are in practice of grabbing and extortion. A ruling party MP Aslamul Haq is trying to make a shaky deal to open a commercial entertainment outlet at Dhaka Zoo in Mirpur zone. It must not be allowed.

In fine, I hope one day, Bangladesh will succeed to try war criminals maintaining transparency. There will be promoted all values for universal human rights. There will be tolerance and respect for alternate opinions. Right to freedom of expression will be guaranteed.

Dreaming road to democracy will be smooth as such democracy in practice in Cecilia Wikström’s country Sweden. Her speech will inspire the young students and academics at Dhaka University to linger their dreams for democracy and universal values in life. Everything will mostly depend on the success of current administration led by Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. Let’s hope.#


CAPTION



European Parliament Member and Swedish writer Cecilia Wikström speaking on "Human Rights, Tolerance and Road to Democracy" at a function organized by the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University on 23 June 2010. The function was presided over by Professor Muhammad Samad, Director, ISWR, Dhaka University.