Constructive dialogue is required to break the current deadlock between the Bangladeshi opposition and the government
ISLAMABAD: The beginning of 2015 has witnessed much political turmoil in Bangladesh. For the last two months, the country has been badly paralysed by blockades of roads, railways, waterways and rallies staged by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The unrest was triggered by the banned protest launched by the BNP on January 5, on the eve of the anniversary of the controversial general elections held last year. The motive behind it was to remind BNP members, and the rest of the country, about the allegedly rigged elections in 2014, which 17 political parties, including the BNP, had boycotted. The anniversary was marked as ‘Democracy Killing Day’ by the protestors. BNP leader Khaleda Zia ordered a crippling transport blockade, which led to loss of life as well as losses to Bangladesh’ s economy.
According to reports, the turmoil has so far cost Bangladesh $15.5 billion since January. Moreover, the arrest warrant issued for Mrs Zia, after she failed to appear for a court hearing related to two corruption charges against her, and the hanging of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, have added to national discord and polarisation in Bangladeshi society. The country’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, has accused the BNP leader of backing anarchy and instability. She claimed that the BNP aims to topple the current Awami League (AL) government. The BNP demands free and fair elections under a neutral caretaker government, which stands abolished since 2011 under a constitutional amendment, something which is not acceptable to the opposition parties. Last year, the BNP failed to convince the government to hold meaningful mid-term elections. So this year it has taken the opportunity to condemn the controversial 2014 elections. The AL believes that the 2014 elections were in conformance with the Bangladeshi Constitution, and the BNP had taken its own decision not to participate in the polls and thus the ruling party is not ready to meet the BNP’s demand for fresh elections. The BNP wanted the country’s army to intervene but it has refused, saying that it respects Bangladesh’s Constitution and laws.
At the regional level, regional countries, particularly Pakistan and India, are silent over the crisis and unwilling to intervene in the political impasse. Both countries are following a policy of non-intervention in matters which are essentially domestic in nature. At an international level, countries like the US, China, the European Union, the UK and Canada have strongly condemned the political violence and ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. They have urged the government and the opposition to engage in political dialogue. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has made an appeal to all political leaders of Bangladesh to seek a peaceful resolution to the current crisis for the sake of long-term development and stability of the country. Although Prime Minister Hasina Wajed hopes that Bangladesh will be able to overcome this crisis, the current situation in Bangladesh will not change dramatically in the near future.
Realising the gravity of the situation, constructive dialogue is required to break the current deadlock between the Bangladeshi opposition and the government. There should be an inclusive, tolerant, participatory and democratic approach. Political parties must overcome differences and find a comprehensive strategy for a speedy resolution to prevent any further damage to the state structure and economy.
Aymen Ijaz
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2015.
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