Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, a prominent journalist and critic of Sheikh Hasina’s deposed regime, returned to Bangladesh after nearly a decade in exile.
In an interview with Dhaka Tribune, he expressed his excitement about coming home, saying, “This is my country. It’s a great relief to finally return.”
Based in Washington, DC, Mushfiqul works as the White House and UN correspondent for JustNewsBD, while also serving as the executive director of Right to Freedom and executive editor of South Asia Perspectives. His journalism, focusing on human rights abuses and election fraud, led to his exile in 2015.
Here’s a shortened version of his interview. Readers can watch the full interview on Dhaka Tribune’s Facebook and YouTube page.
How do you view the significance of this mass uprising in the context of Bangladesh’s politics?
A popular uprising has been long desired in Bangladesh. Throughout the years, all major political parties have repeatedly called for the overthrow of the government, but those efforts have been consistently suppressed. The government resorted to guns, fires, forced disappearances, and murders, indiscriminately targeting opposition. There were instances where Dhaka was effectively separated from the rest of the country due to violent crackdowns on protests. Yet, the government managed to regain control through the use of its forces.
However, the recent turn of events marked a decisive moment. People from all walks of life collectively felt that enough was enough. It was no longer just political parties or specific groups – students, their guardians, and society at large joined hands, united by the belief that this was a battle between life and death. This moment of desperation and resolve led to a successful popular uprising.
Even if we look back at the student uprisings of the 1990s, those movements, while impactful, were not as brutal. The (Hussain Muhammad) Ershad government fell with only a few casualties. But in this case, we’ve heard reports that Sheikh Hasina ordered the killing of thousands, if necessary, to maintain power. I respect the military for not standing against the people. This, I believe, is the true essence of a mass uprising—the empowerment of the people has finally created this opportunity for change.
In this pivotal moment, the people, students, and political parties have collectively chosen Professor Muhammad Yunus to lead the transition. We respect him not only in Bangladesh but he is also a globally respected figure. The responsibility of steering this transition rests with him, reflecting the people’s trust.
The Awami League as a political entity has devolved into a fascist party. Any approach towards it must be similar to how fascist regimes were dealt with in other countries. If they are not held accountable, they will simply resurface in a new guise. A zero-tolerance policy should be enforced against those involved in forced disappearances, murders, and human rights violations, including Sheikh Hasina and her allies in the Awami League. If this is not done, they will destabilize the country once again. The transitional government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus must not provide any concessions to these crooks, or else they will attempt to create another crisis.
How is the international community viewing the uprising?
The international community has taken a significant interest in the recent uprising in Bangladesh.
Although local media struggled to report on the full scale of the situation due to restrictions, major global outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, BBC, Fox News, AP, AFP, and others have extensively covered the events.
These reports emphasized how Sheikh Hasina’s government used extreme measures against civilians, including shooting people on sight, which caused widespread shock and condemnation internationally.
The United Nations has also come under pressure. There were reports that UN equipment, branded with its logo, was used to suppress people during these brutal crackdowns. The UN has taken this very seriously, calling in the Bangladeshi ambassador to address the matter and making sure the world is aware of the situation.
The US State Department has repeatedly emphasized the importance of respecting the will of the Bangladeshi people. They’ve voiced their concerns about the previous election, which was not seen as free and fair. The US has made it clear that they support the democratic aspirations of the people and that it is up to the citizens of Bangladesh to decide whether they will continue with the dictatorship or move toward democratic reform.
This stance has been echoed not only by the US but also by the European Union, Western and Eastern nations, and Indian civil society.
In India, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government offered shelter to Sheikh Hasina after her fall from power, this decision has sparked controversy. Many within India’s civil society have been vocal in their opposition to this move, viewing it as a contradiction of democratic values. Protests in Kolkata even saw students and civil society members jailed for standing in solidarity with the Bangladeshi uprising.
The international community, especially in the West and Europe, has accepted the decision of the Bangladeshi people to overthrow a dictatorship and have shown support for a peaceful, democratic transition.
How do you see the next stage of Dhaka-Washington relations?
I am hopeful that relations between Dhaka and Washington will reach their highest potential. Think tanks in DC also anticipate direct, high-level engagement between the two nations.
In my view, direct diplomatic communication between Dhaka and Washington is essential for fostering clear, open, and efficient exchanges on key issues like trade, regional cooperation and security.
It allows both countries to swiftly address emerging challenges and strengthens their bilateral ties. Regular dialogue builds mutual trust, ensures both parties’ interests are recognized, and promotes collaboration in areas such as climate change, regional stability, and economic development.
Moreover, it enhances coordination in multilateral forums and supports efforts for a prosperous South Asia.