US strongly favours lifting of ban on Bangladesh politics

Dhaka, July 31 (UNI) The United States today strongly favoured lifting the ban on politics in Bangladesh, saying arbitrary application of the ban has been a concern both domestically and internationally.

All political activities were banned by the interim caretaker government under a state of emergency since January 11 last.

Political parties are calling for the withdrawal of the ban to allow them to sit with the Election Commission and discuss electoral reforms. Although the date for the stalled parliamentary elections was not announced, the Election Commission pledged to hold the polls by 2008.

''Dialogue is part and parcel of an effective reform process. As such, lifting the ban on politics is absolutely critical as a kick-start to positive change in Bangladesh," US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi told a meeting of business leaders here.

The US envoy said lifting the ban does not mean ushering back the culture of violent partisan street politics. Rather, she said, "It would signal that there is room for a new, constructive political discourse, and help guarantee that this new breeze of reform can permeate the political parties." Extending the US government's support to the anti-corruption efforts by the army-backed caretaker government, Pasi asked it to make a real break with the past. She also said to earn the confidence of the people of Bangladesh, the government needs to ensure that the corruption cases are executed fairly, transparently and without "selectivity or political motivation." Former Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina is among the 200 politicians, former Ministers, MPs, bureaucrats and businessmen,who were arrested on charges of corruption. However, a High Court bench granted bail to Sheikh Hasina and ordered to stay proceedings on an extortion case filed against her.

The US envoy said it is crucial that all those accused are accorded the full range of their legal and constitutional rights.

"Corruption is an insidious disease that saps a nation of its vitality and promise, and it has no place in democracy." Pasi made a flashback on pre-emergency political landscape and obstinate stance by two major parties-Awami League and BNP-- over the abortive January elections, saying that the state of emergency has presented the people of Bangladesh with an opportunity to rewrite their political future. It would help address the issue of crippling corruption and strengthening institutions critical to a democracy with checks and balances.

''This is a time of great opportunity in Bangladesh's history--the political, social and economic investments you make today are the venture capital of a new future for Bangladesh that must include a clear and unwavering focus on democratic values,'' she told the businesspeople.

Expressing the strong support of the US to improve the protection of human rights in the country, Pasi said reports of custodial deaths and allegations of the maltreatment of detainees, "secret" detentions, and other breaches of due process raise concerns here and abroad.

UNI