‘Own up to past mistakes to find common ground’

Member of the parliament Nahim Razzaq last week called on the opposition BNP to own up to its past mistakes and show their commitment to non-violence to and some sort of common political ground. 

Referring to the party's involvement in the killing of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria and the grenade attack targeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004, Nahim said: “The opposition party needs to own up to its past mistakes and make sure that they are committed to non-violence. The people should not be fearful of what they (BNP) are doing.”

Zafar Sobhan  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Nahim Razzaq, member of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs, was addressing a seminar organized by The Royal Norwegian Embassy and Dhaka Tribune at a hotel in Gulshan.

Dr Rounaq Jahan Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

“From the Awami League, we're very much willing to have these discussions because we believe that as long as we're open to the idea of realistic discussions, we can make changes happen,” he added, stressing the need for compromise between all political parties.

Nahim Razzaq  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThe seminar, held on December 15, aimed at finding common ground among political parties to ensure a free and fair election ahead of the 12th parliamentary election, likely to be held in January 2024.

“Although finding common ground is very difficult, it is possible if the parties look to increase their understanding and appreciation for each other,” Sharmeen Murshid, chief executive officer of local election observer group Brotee, said. She also emphasized the importance of listening, calling it as the “first step towards finding common ground”.

Md A Arafat  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Espen Rikter-Svendsen, Norwegian ambassador to Bangladesh, said: "All the events, ranging from technical to political, leading up to the election matter. Because the key to a free and fair election lies in the preparations.”

Past mistakes 

Sharmeen called on all the major parties to acknowledge the mistakes they have made in the past and to move forward.

Sharmeen Murshid  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

“We often see that both the major political parties -- Awami League and BNP --are very defensive about their position. In defending their positions, they constantly go back to past errors.”

“You have made your errors and you must pay the consequences. You need to acknowledge your past mistakes,” she added.

However, citing Awami League's struggle for democracy after 1975, AK Faiyazul Huq Razu, member of the International Affairs Sub Committee and also the grandson of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, said:

“To find common ground, there should be a political consensus to address and acknowledge all the injuries Awami League sustained during the 21-year long struggle for democracy.”

Only then, according to him, can common ground be found.

Reforms needed

Political experts, activists and civil society members underscored the importance of sustainable political and institutional reforms to ensure a functioning democracy.

Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL) President and founder Nasim Firdaus suggested that the government create a reform commission to facilitate institutional reforms.

Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Speakers also discussed the importance of having a neutral government to oversee elections.

“An acceptable and participatory election under a non-partisan caretaker government is a bare necessity in this situation,” Former BNP lawmaker Rumeen Farhana said.

Rumeen Farhana  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Citing the necessity of political reform, Zonayed Saki, the coordinator of Ganosamhoti Andolan, said the reform must happen under an “interim government consisting of representatives from every major political party, formed based on political consensus.”

Zonayed Saki  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

However, Nahim Razzaq said the caretaker government system is obsolete.

“The focus should be on institutional reform and strengthening accountability mechanisms, which the ruling Awami League has done by adopting the Election Commission Act,” he said.

Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, honorary fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, said reforms in our governance system is an absolute necessity. He emphasized the importance of dialogue on devolution (Delegation of power to lower levels) as a fundamental element in our sociopolitical governance system.

The session was attended by diplomats, academics, journalists, and members of civil society organizations.