Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Sunday sought full support from the international community to rebuild Bangladesh after the “second revolution” following the mass uprising in Bangladesh.
"The revolutionary students want us to carry meaningful and deep reforms, which will turn the country into a real and thriving democracy. The task is huge but doable with the support of all people and the international community," said Dr Yunus.
He made this call while briefing the diplomats stationed in Dhaka at a hotel in the capital.
This was the maiden briefing of the chief adviser since the interim government's inception.
Dr Yunus told the international community that the interim government is committed to holding free, fair, and participatory elections soon once “deep reforms” are completed.
After the event, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the reporters.
Mentioning the outgoing Sheikh Hasina regime, Dr Yunus told the diplomats: "I took over a country which was in many ways a complete mess. In their efforts to stay in power, the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship destroyed every institution of the country. The judiciary was broken. Democratic rights were suppressed through a brutal decade-and-a-half-long crackdown.
“Elections were rigged blatantly. Generations of young people grew up without exercising their voting rights. Banks were robbed with full political patronization. And the state coffer was plundered by abusing power.”
Dr Yunus said a new era has begun in Bangladesh as the students expressed their dream of a country where people, regardless of their political, religious or ethnic identity, will be able to fulfill their aspirations and enjoy full freedom of expression, with the government upholding democracy, justice and human rights and freedom of speech.
Regarding the country's law and order situation, Dr Yunus said that his government's top priority would be to bring the law and order situation under control.
"We will be close to normalcy within a short period of time, with the unwavering support of our people and patriotic armed forces. The police force has also resumed their operations. The armed forces will continue to serve in aid of civil power as long as the situation warrants. Our government remains pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups," said Dr Yunus.
He also emphasized ensuring justice and accountability for all the killings and violence committed during the recent mass uprising.
"We want an impartial and internationally credible investigation into the massacre and subsequent due judicial processes. We will provide whatever support the UN investigators need.”
The chief adviser later pledged to hold a credible election and said: "We will hold a free, fair participatory election as soon as we can complete our mandate to carry out vital reforms in our election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces and media."
Focusing on economic reform he said: "We will undertake robust and far-reaching economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and sustained growth, with priority attached to good governance and combating corruption and mismanagement."
Regarding the legal obligation of the government, the head of the interim government said that they will uphold and promote all international legal obligations, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
"Our government will adhere to all international, regional and bilateral instruments it is a party to. Bangladesh shall continue to remain an active proponent of multilateralism, with the UN at the core. We look forward to maintaining and enhancing Bangladesh’s contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations," he added.
Dr Yunus sought support for the Rohingya refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh and said: "Our government will continue to support the million plus Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh. We need sustained efforts of the international community for Rohingya humanitarian operations and their eventual repatriation to their homeland, Myanmar, with safety, dignity, and full rights.”
While talking about the interim government’s foreign policy Dr Yunus said: "Our government will nurture friendly relations with all countries in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding and shared interests,"
He called upon the trade and investment partners to maintain their trust in Bangladesh and said: "We won't tolerate any attempt to disrupt the global clothing supply chain in which we are a key player.”
Dr Yunus concluded his speech by dreaming for a new democratic Bangladesh and said: "Bangladesh stands at the crossroads of a new beginning. Our valiant students and people deserve a lasting transformation of our nation. It is a difficult journey and we need your help along the way. We need to fulfill their aspirations. The sooner the better. We have to create opportunities to build a poverty-free and prosperous new Bangladesh. We believe all our friends and partners in the international community will stand by our government and people as we chart a new democratic future.”
At the beginning of the speech, Dr Yunus paid his deep respect and homage to all those valiant students and people who made the supreme sacrifice during the recent uprising.
Praising the role of students he said: "Students of no other countries in our recent memory had to pay so much a price for expressing their democratic aspirations, dreaming a discrimination-free, equitable and environmental-friendly nation where human rights of every citizen are fully protected.”
Although the event was scheduled to begin at 11am., it was delayed by about two hours due to protesting groups in front of the chief adviser's official residence.
The program eventually commenced at 12:50pm.
Over 50 diplomats, including representatives from UN agencies, attended the briefing.
The chief adviser greeted the diplomats during the event.
Also present were Seheli Sabrin, director general of the Public Diplomacy wing, and Apurba Jahangir, the chief adviser's deputy press secretary.