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Political Deadlock: Will History Repeat Itself In Bangladesh?

By M Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury

30 December, 2013
Countercurrents.org

 As the United Nations (UN) failed to solve the political crisis of Bangladesh with the end of recent fruitless discussions between the ruling Awami League (AL) and main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the trend of violence has been increasing. The manifestation of increased violence includes the attacks on Bangladesh Supreme Court, Jatiya Press Club and Dhaka University on 29 December 2013. A one-sided parliamentary election is scheduled to be held on next 5 January 2014, which has virtually divided the nation. Government took risk by deploying army in the whole country on last 26 December in aid to civil power. It can be said that if situation goes out of control of the government there is a chance to declare a State of Emergency. Actually, that will be the only option to overcome the deadlock as well as volatile situation.

Track record shows, every after emergency follows a change with difference. Bangladeshi people in home and abroad are in tension due to growing uncertainty. Ruling Awami League is going ahead desperately with the elections where 154 MP candidates have already been elected uncontested in absence of almost all opposition parties including main opposition BNP and its allies. The Government defied world’s objections where UN, USA, EU, China, Japan and Commonwealth even Russia requested to stop this poll as it will not reflect the people’s verdict and franchise while will fuel ongoing violence into a deep crisis. Army was deployed countrywide to assist election commission to hold elections in 59 districts out of 64 districts in the country. In all constituencies of the rest 5 districts, candidates were elected with understanding among ruling party and its alliances.

Trend of suppression and oppression which include mass arrest, detention, abduction and remand has been increased followed by the ‘March for Democracy’ of 29 December called by 18 Party Alliance and like minded other political parties leader Khaleda Zia. Begum Zia is unofficially house arrest since she announced the programme 4 days before the programme. On the 29 December law enforcement agencies stopped Leader of the Opposition while she made an attempt to start for scheduled programme at her party office at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area by using her official car. She commented, “Parliament has not been dissolved yet and thereby I am still the Leader of the Opposition. How did you stop my movement?”

Institutions and organisations have been destroyed in Bangladesh over the years. Judiciary and Anti Corruption Commission became government tools. Highly political people were appointed in non-political constitutional and government senior positions. Cases of ruling party were withdrawn by the government and opposition political parties cases remain. The government of the day became government of party in power instead of the people. Corruption has been encouraged by the government.

Stakeholders were not allowed to take part to decide how election will be held. Ruling party can decide within its tenure, but in Bangladesh now ruling party is deciding beyond their jurisdiction and tenure. Election is manipulated. Party in power pushes opposition political parties out of the election. They distribute parliamentary seats among them and their allies. They are violating the ‘rules of game’. Mentionable, following fall of autocratic government in 1990, major political parties of Bangladesh agreed to hold election under non-party caretaker government in 1991 which was institutionalised in 1996. Since then all parliamentary elections have been held under non-party caretaker government. The last election was held in 29 December 2008 under a military-backed government which ruled the country for 2 years by overthrowing a constitutional caretaker government. Unfortunately, 2007-08 military-backed government was invited by the Awami League. The illegitimate military government was also assured by them to be legitimised. BNP government was forced by Awami League to include the provision of Caretaker Government (CTG) in the constitution in 1996. Ironically, the same political party annulled the CTG provision constitutionally in 2011 as they came back to power after the gap of tenure. They could not repeal the constitution during their previous term of 1996-2001 as they did not have two-third majority to amend the constitution. Awami League has some other contradictions. The party staged movements with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami from 1994 to 1996 against BNP government and now they are pursuing trial against that party. Awami League struggled for democracy against army juntas during pre-independence period until 1971. Contrarily they invited the army to take over in number of times including 1982, 1990 and 2007. The AL used the driving force behind the army coup of 2007-08 and came to power. Al supported extra constitutional army-backed administration was not a caretaker government. Once they came to power, started attacking on CTG system instead, amended the constitution where the provision of CTG was annulled and trial of probable army coup was included. The fruit of much awaited separation of judiciary, which was completed by the last army government, is also being abused by present ruling party by placing their hardcore people. Besides, they replaced the provision of conducting the oath taking ceremony of President of the country by Speaker in place of Chief Justice. Awami League was against elections without major parties and going back to power they are now busy with the mockery, where repressing political agitations they are distributing parliamentary seats among themselves. Awami League was against authoritarian government and now they made their government one woman show. Previously also they switched over to Presidential system until was overthrown by bloody coup in 1975. Awami League replaced ‘absolute trust and faith in almighty Allah’ by secularism and they uphold ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ and State Religion Islam in the constitution. Same party was in the government for 5 years in 1996-2001 with all these above mentioned provision in the constitution. They signed 5 point treaty with Khelafat Majlish and did breach the agreement later. They also violated another treaty with Jatiya Party Chief by not appointing him the President. There were two more elections held in 1988 and 15 February 1996 which were not participated by all major parties. However, the election is due on 5 January is not compared with anyone held in the past as more than half of the seats were declared elected with understanding. This election is termed by opposition political parties and media as ‘mockery with the nation’. For the first time no observers from home and abroad are coming to observe this election. Last time in 2007 EU declared that they will not observe the election although they came to Bangladesh for their mission as there was process of election finally boycotted by major parties. Meanwhile, that election could not be held.

Bangladesh Army did not allow then caretaker government in 2007 while another election was going on with the withdrawal by major opposition. Subsequently, country’s power was captured by the army headed by then chief of staff Lt. General Moeen U ahmed, who was highly ambitious as well as determined to be the President. Serious violence has been taking place every day with number of deaths for about a month. UN Secretary General‘s Special Envoy Oscar Farnadez Taranco submitted some recommendations to the UN Secretary General in order to solve the Bangladesh crisis following his recent parley with the rival main political parties. Mr Taranco’s submitted 4 points recommendations include 1. to solve political crisis by releasing opposition leaders immediately, allowing normal politics including keeping political parties offices open with political activities as such meeting, rally with creating congenial atmosphere, to replace Prime Minister by a neutral person by sending incumbent on leave and allocating Ministry of Public Administration and Home affairs to another two neutral persons during election time government. According to UN Special Envoy, if this solution does not work, the proposal prescribes: there will be election under UN system as such kind of polls held in other problematic countries in different times. If this also does not work, the last formulae is military action by deploying UN Peace Keeping Force in Bangladesh like Kongo, Sierra Leon, Sudan etc in order to hold parliamentary election under UN supervision following UN Charter 7.

Regarding ensuing parliamentary election, 21 registered political parties are away from election. Reportedly, a third biggest party is in a mess on the issue of participation in the polls. H M Ershad predicted that this election will not be held. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry requested Prime Minister to stop the election. They recommended for a participatory election and end of violence in Bangladesh. Whole World backs UN. It is reported only India backs ruling Awami League in Bangladesh while America has been dealing with this. However, denying the allegation India recently issued a statement saying it does not want to interfere on internal affairs of Bangladesh. On the other hand, main opposition party BNP asked the Indian government to maintain relation with Bangladesh instead of maintaining exclusive relation with any particular political party.

Government used judiciary in annulling Caretaker Government system although Supreme Court gave opinion that next 2 parliamentary elections can be held under the CTG system. Before releasing the highest court’s verdict government hurriedly changed the constitution’s relevant provision. Besides, court has also its jurisdiction. Government has 3 organs namely Executive, Judiciary and Parliament and no one can cross its periphery. Politics should be dealt politically. It should be noted that what will be the system of the government and fundamentals of the constitution that will be decided by the politicians, not by the court. In other words, people’s democratic rights can be ensured by the court, not to be curtailed. Apex court can interpret the constitution and if any fault happens through constitutional amendments that can be interpreted or corrected by the court. In 1988, Bangladesh Supreme Court annulled part of the 8th amendment of the constitution as it did not follow the unitary character of the constitution in respect to formation of 8 High Court Benches in divisional and greater district headquarters outside the capital. But, Supreme Court in recent verdict cancelled the provision of referendum on changing basic character of the constitution and they decided on fundamental issues of the constitution which is beyond their area. People are subject to decide what they want to follow and what not.

In our regime, following the BNP regime President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed became head of caretaker government as the Chief Adviser. Initially AL did not want to accept him. I mediated between President and Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina where we met all their demands including reshuffling the administration, sending Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) with some other Commissioners on leave etc. In present situation, Election Commission was appointed unilaterally by the government where party government headed by political Prime Minister remain. What an irony! The army is being used for party interest against the people.

Government deployed army in aid to civil power as we did so in our tenure which was made dysfunctional by Awami League on one hand and General Moeen and his associates on the other. That was followed by a State of emergency which I stopped for more than 3 months since October 2006 for the sake of democracy. Major political parties could not evaluate the gravity of the situation at that time. One party thought army chief will not betray since they appointed him superseding 9 senior officers following his lobbying for the post where he gave commitment to remain loyal if any odd situation arises. The other party was instigating the army to take over. However, due to chaos and anarchy, political support and army chief ‘s lust finally brought Bangladesh under a State of Emergency on 11 January 2007, which lead to a regime of an extra constitutional military-backed government that ruled the country for 2 years.

External interference is not acceptable if it is against the country. On the contrary, if external forces support any country for good cause then it is acceptable worldwide. For instance at the pressure of World Bank, Bangladesh adopted ‘independent Anti Corruption Commission bill’ in the parliament in 2005 repealing formerly Anti Corruption Board Act although later it was made useless organisation first by military rule and followed by civil regime. Similarly, under the pressure of donor countries and organisations number of Bangladesh’s ministries was squeezed at that time. Although present government did reverse on this issue and in some cases increased even more. Examples are Food and Disaster Management Ministry, Children and Women Affairs Ministry and Railway Ministry. Prescription of donors is always not favourable for assistance recipient countries as under WB’s pressure BNP government neglected the railway sector which went against Bangladesh as broadly considered. Considering the option, present AL government reversed the decision. Consequently, they created new ministry in this sector. It may be mentioned, India, China even Saudi Arbia are pursuing big projects in this sector as well.

During our time in 2006-07 UN, USA and allies were in favour of democracy as I made them understand. Later General Moeen sent an official request through an emissary to the USA State Department to allow him to declare Martial Law for a short period in order to make him the President. In this letter he promised, after becoming country’s head of the State he will release all detainees, make country’s political situation normal and will not dispute over any of two lady leaders to become the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Then that move proved my earlier appraisal to the international world was correct and timely. Meanwhile, the role of some foreign diplomats and some countries was controversial then. People’s perception is more important in analysing the role of all actors. They evaluate both foreign and local actor’s role independently and above any kind of interest. Presently Bangladeshi people are watching all internal and external actor’s role very closely and international actor’s role has been highly appreciated due to they want to save Bangladeshi democracy and its institutions and want to support them for further improvement.

Today’s situation is worse than January 2007. Army leadership is one of the factors in taking over power. It depends on the army chief or some senior army officers whether they are ambitious. Government has taken a risk with deployment of army countrywide. At present, there are only few options left. If situation cannot be controlled, another State of emergency may be declared. Every after emergency follows either change of regime or military intervention. Previously that intervention brought martial law while new phenomenon shows that it brings military backed government. Example of last Martial Law and Military-backed Government occurred in 1982 and 2007 respectively both following State of Emergency. Army can act on its own or can wait for UN action. UN action can take some time as they need to go to UN General Assembly and Security Council. Regarding sending observers to the parliamentary election of Bangladesh lastly Russia supported USA as well. If government can hold the election and then gets some more time they will crack down on main opposition and there will be absence of check and balance.

This time government may overcome but at the end people will win in course of time and then it will be a great loss for Awami league. A democratic party may loss in one election while may come back in following polls. However, if it makes blunder it is deemed to be doomed. According to former President General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who is an ally of present government, AL made everybody its enemy. He mentioned the recent incident where AL government attacked on Hefazat-e Islami, a non political organisation as well.

General Ershad has been confined at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for about a month as he does not want to support the AL government this time. AL came to power with JP’s support twice.

There is no level playing field for all the political parties. Bangladesh has been practicing democracy on only one day which is on the day of election. Rest days of the tenure are far away from the people’s rule. Only an election cannot help Bangladesh which needs total recast of the government machinery where system can work like developed countries. There must be a charter where all parties to agree. There should not be any dispute on basic or fundamental issues as for example values, religion, culture etc. As I have been witnessing governance of Bangladesh closely, I can draw a conclusion that the main problems of Bangladeshi politics are ego, mistrust, suspicion and discord. Right men are not rightly placed. In democracy there has to be compromise, not ego. Only living Nobel laureate of Bangladesh Dr Muhammad Yunus is being honoured worldwide while has been humiliated in his own country.

In the present political stalemate in Bangladesh, military takeover is not the solution. On the contrary, authoritarian government system must go and there should be checks and balances where all actors as well as organs should be accountable and transparent

M Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury is a London-based Researcher as well as Independent Analyst in Politics and International Relations. He is a Former Minister and Adviser to the President of Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]

 



 

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