Bangladesh’s caretaker prime minister on Sunday (August 18, 2024) accused ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of destroying all of the nation’s establishments in her efforts to remain in energy, whereas promising to carry free, truthful and participatory elections as quickly as her authorities completes the “mandate” of finishing up “very important reforms.”
Ms Hasina, 76, resigned and fled to India on August 5 following a mass scholar protest towards a controversial quota system in authorities jobs.
Following Hasina’s ouster, Yunus, 84, was sworn in as a senior adviser to the interim authorities on August 8.
“In its efforts to remain in energy, the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship destroyed all of the establishments of the nation. The judiciary was destroyed. Democratic rights have been suppressed by way of brutal repression that lasted for a decade and a half,” Yunus mentioned by way of his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, as reported by United Information of Bangladesh.
Learn additionally:The rise and fall of Sheikh Hasina
His feedback got here as he briefed diplomats stationed in Dhaka for the primary time for the reason that formation of the interim authorities.
Yunus mentioned he had taken energy in a rustic that was, in some ways, an entire mess. He pressured the reforms wanted within the electoral fee, the judiciary, the civil administration, the safety forces and the media.
The senior aide mentioned the election was blatantly rigged and generations of younger individuals grew up with out exercising their proper to vote.
“Banks have been raided with full political patronage and state coffers have been looted by way of abuse of energy,” Yunus mentioned, including that honest efforts would even be made to advertise nationwide reconciliation.
Mr. Yunus mentioned they are going to undertake sturdy and far-reaching financial reforms to revive macroeconomic stability and sustained progress, prioritizing good governance and the struggle towards corruption and mismanagement.
He mentioned the interim authorities’s prime precedence can be to manage the legislation and order scenario.
“We will likely be near normality inside a brief interval, with the unwavering assist of our individuals and our patriotic armed forces,” Yunus mentioned.
The police have additionally resumed their operations. The armed forces will proceed to offer assist providers to the civil energy so long as the scenario requires.
“Our authorities stays dedicated to making sure the protection and safety of all spiritual and ethnic teams,” he mentioned.
Bangladesh has seen a surge in violence towards members of Hindu communities following the autumn of the Hasina-led authorities.
Yunus mentioned the interim authorities will maintain “free, truthful and participatory” elections as quickly because it completes its “mandate” to hold out “very important reforms.” He added that they’ve additionally made it a precedence to make sure justice and accountability for all killings and violence dedicated through the current mass rebellion.
He mentioned they are going to respect and promote all their worldwide authorized obligations, together with worldwide humanitarian legislation and worldwide human rights legislation.
“Our authorities will adhere to all worldwide, regional and bilateral devices to which it’s a occasion. Bangladesh will stay an lively advocate of multilateralism, with the United Nations at its centre,” Yunus mentioned.
“Our authorities will foster pleasant relations with all international locations in a spirit of mutual respect, understanding and shared pursuits,” he mentioned.
He urged his commerce and funding companions to take care of their confidence in Bangladesh for financial prosperity.
“Bangladesh is on the crossroads of a brand new starting. Our courageous college students and their individuals deserve a long-lasting transformation of our nation. It’s a tough journey and we want your assist alongside the best way. We have to fulfil their aspirations. The earlier the higher,” he mentioned, including that they should create alternatives to construct a brand new, affluent and poverty-free Bangladesh.
“We imagine that every one our pals and companions within the worldwide group will assist our authorities and our individuals as we chart a brand new democratic future,” Mr. Yunus mentioned.
Mr. Yunus paid deep respect and tribute to all these courageous college students and harmless individuals who made the supreme sacrifice.
“In no different nation in our current historical past have college students needed to pay such a excessive worth for expressing their democratic aspirations, dreaming of a nation free from discrimination, equitable and respectful of the setting, the place the human rights of all residents are totally protected,” he mentioned.
He referred to as for assist from the worldwide group to rebuild Bangladesh.
On the Rohingya difficulty, he mentioned the interim authorities will proceed to assist the multiple million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
“We want sustained efforts from the worldwide group for humanitarian operations in favour of the Rohingya and their eventual repatriation to their homeland, Myanmar, in security, dignity and with full rights,” Yunus mentioned.
He mentioned the interim authorities hopes to take care of and improve Bangladesh’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.
