Democracy almost absent in Bangladesh: Fakhrul

Dhaka (Oct 29, 2020): BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today came down heavily on the government for making Bangladesh a void of democracy.

“Democracy is almost absent in Bangladesh,” Fakhrul came up with the observation while addressing a programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking its silver jubilee this morning.

Claiming that his party believes in multi-party, parliamentary democracy and freedom of press, Fakhrul said the freedom of press, expression and democracy are needed to ensure the country’s overall socioeconomic development.

Pressure on mass media activists has been mounted across the world and the same trend in Bangladesh is being noticed, the BNP leader said adding that many journalists have been harassed and sent to jail only on political ground.

The culture of division has developed in the country and that has created an adverse impact in every sector which will not bring any happiness or prosperity for the people in the society, he said.

He also extended his thanks to all members of the DRU for their role as front liners amid the pandemic of the coronavirus.

He also offered prayer for the eternal peace of the newsmen who met end of their lives after being infected by the Covid-19.

About the act incorporated to control the voice of mass media, he said the government has banished the freedom of press and expression and gaged the people’s voices.

Referring to a media report that 10 US senators wrote to their foreign and home affair ministries that 400 people have been subjected to extrajudicial killing in the hands of a certain law enforcement agency in Bangladesh.

They (10 US senators) urged the US President to impose a sanction in this regard, he added citing the media report.

“It is a matter of great regret that these incidents will never bring any good result for us,” the BNP leader said.