UN envoy urges holding dialogue soon

Visiting UN Assistant Secretary General for political affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco has expressed his concern as “time is running out” to find a solution so Bangladesh can hold free, fair, credible and non-violent elections. “There is lot of understanding why these elections are so important and so crucial. Our concern is that time is running out and that the quicker the dialogue starts, I think the easier it would be to find a solution,” he said at a press briefing at a local hotel yesterday. The UN special envoy arrived in Dhaka on Friday to hold a series of meetings with all the major stakeholders including the prime minister, leader of the opposition, speaker of the house, the chief election commissioner, leaders of political parties and members of civil society. Fernandez-Taranco said peaceful dialogue and active engagement would result in an agreeable solution to put in place the mechanism that allows for the establishment of a level-playing field for all political parties. He stated, “The upcoming elections are crucial for strengthening democratic process.” The envoy said he was encouraged by recent developments as everyone he spoke to agree that ensuring peaceful elections was also everyone’s priority. “We need to focus on the elements that will allow these elections to go forward, to another point of convergence.” Consequence The history of Bangladesh is a good indicator of what the consequences can be if there are no free, fair and credible elections, Fernandez-Taranco said. “Economic opportunity, freedom and aspirations can be compromised by not holding elections. The consequences, I think, are clearly understood by all the interlocutors.” The country’s stability, peace and prosperity needs to continue, and for that to happen, these elections must take place in a peaceful, fair, credible and transparent manner, he added. It is very important for Bangladesh to continue on its path of stability, progress and development, the envoy said, adding: “Certainly Bangladesh has many challenges but had overcome many challenges in the past. That’s why the dialogue is essential.” Regarding the prime minister’s dialogue offer, he said it needed to be reciprocated. “The offer of dialogue formulated by the prime minister is an important initial step which needs to be reciprocated now and ensured that this process can move forward. “I am hopeful that there is lot of common ground. So the gaps are not as big as many believe.” Home-grown solutions, common ground and importance of Bangladesh The envoy categorically stated the UN does not have the answers. “We did not have a formula. Our role is not to tell the parties what to do. It has to be home-grown and it has to be led by the people and the leaders of Bangladesh,” Fernandez-Taranco said. He said he thinks there is common ground for all the parties as everybody recognises the government needs to work, during the election time, in a manner to ensure the elections can be held in a free, fair, credible, transparent and non-violent environment. “Commitment to dialogue, commitment to peaceful elections, commitment to ensure level-playing field are the words that I have heard from both sides. There are a lot of similarities. Certainly, the leaders and people of Bangladesh will find solutions for their own country,” he stated. The UN envoy said Bangladesh is very important for the global organisation, especially because of its strong commitment to international peace and security, Fernandez-Taranco praised Bangladesh saying, “Its very brave police and army officers are participating in the peacekeeping operations.”