Campaign starts for peaceful polls

AL, BNP leaders stress peaceful elections

A national campaign has been launched aiming to create awareness about shunning violence and preserving peace in the lead up to the general election scheduled to be held at the end of December. The campaign, ‘Shantite Bijoy’ (Win with Peace), launched yesterday at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre by Democracy International in association with USAID and UKAID, brought together leaders of the registered political parties for peaceful elections and tolerant politics.

Among others, prime minister’s political affairs adviser HT Imam, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, United States ambassador Marcia Bernicat and British high commissioner Alison Blake spoke at the launching event. A film, containing views from people across the country, was screened at the event.

Besides, Some 400 politicians in 40 districts pledged for peaceful elections on the occasion of the launching of the campaign. Adviser HT Imam said that the government is committed to holding a free, fair and impartial election and that it is possible to hold a peaceful election if there is no negative campaign, abusive languages and attacks.

BNP leader and former minister Dr Khan said that his party wants peaceful election as well as peaceful political environment. Justice is important for establishing peaceful environment, he said. “Peace, mutual tolerance and inclusivity – all have a strong tradition in Bangladesh,” said ambassador Bernicat. “Free, fair and inclusive elections are important for a democracy – especially, for one, which is on track to become a middle income country,” she said, adding, “All parties, groups and individuals should be free to participate fully in the political process leading up to the polls.”

Individuals from different political parties must be free to express their political views, to campaign throughout the country and to hold peaceful rallies and meetings without intimidation, reprisal or arbitrary restrictions, said the envoy.

“Political parties must accept their rivals as legitimate participants in the political process and as potential leaders of the next government, even when they disagree on issues or policies,” she said.

“It is essential that Bangladeshis urge nonviolence by all actors at every stage of the democratic process, before, during, and after the election. Violence serves only those who wish to undermine the democratic processes and interest of Bangladesh and its citizens, she added.

British high commissioner Blake said, “I am delighted to be able to join such a wonderful event, bringing together people from across the political spectrum and the country to pledge our support for inclusive politics and to help deliver Bangladeshis’ vision for free, fair, participatory elections in Bangladesh.”

“That is the vision that has brought us all here today and that is the message we heard very clearly from all the speakers in the interviews and films shown in this room,” she said, noting that there is a powerful link between democracy and human rights.

“And we hold onto a core belief that democracy requires the participation of all citizens – all citizens and that includes indigenous peoples and members of minority communities, people with disabilities – in a society that includes equality and equity in respect to access to civil and political rights,” said Blake.

“This is not just a wish or a hope, but a right and what people deserve: that they will be able to express their views and that their voice will be count,” she added.

“Because there is no mistaking the clear message that we hear from everyone across the country: that the people of Bangladesh want a peaceful political environment and tolerant political practices; that violence and disorder should not be a part of politics or elections; and that the victims of violence or disorder are not just the politically active or groups of opposing “muscle” but that it affects the rights and lives of the innocent bystanders and minorities, women, and marginalised communities,” said the envoy.

 

Campaign starts for peaceful polls

AL, BNP leaders stress peaceful elections

A national campaign has been launched aiming to create awareness about shunning violence and preserving peace in the lead up to the general election scheduled to be held at the end of December. The campaign, Shantite Bijoy (Win with Peace), launched yesterday at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre by Democracy International in association with USAID and UKAID, brought together leaders of the registered political parties for peaceful elections and tolerant politics. Among others, prime ministers political affairs adviser HT Imam, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, United States ambassador Marcia Bernicat and British high commissioner Alison Blake spoke at the launching event. A film, containing views from people across the country, was screened at the event. Besides, Some 400 politicians in 40 districts pledged for peaceful elections on the occasion of the launching of the campaign. Adviser HT Imam said that the government is committed to holding a free, fair and impartial election and that it is possible to hold a peaceful election if there is no negative campaign, abusive languages and attacks. BNP leader and former minister Dr Khan said that his party wants peaceful election as well as peaceful political environment. Justice is important for establishing peaceful environment, he said. Peace, mutual tolerance and inclusivity all have a strong tradition in Bangladesh, said ambassador Bernicat. Free, fair and inclusive elections are important for a democracy especially, for one, which is on track to become a middle income country, she said, adding, All parties, groups and individuals should be free to participate fully in the political process leading up to the polls. Individuals from different political parties must be free to express their political views, to campaign throughout the country and to hold peaceful rallies and meetings without intimidation, reprisal or arbitrary restrictions, said the envoy. Political parties must accept their rivals as legitimate participants in the political process and as potential leaders of the next government, even when they disagree on issues or policies, she said. It is essential that Bangladeshis urge nonviolence by all actors at every stage of the democratic process, before, during, and after the election. Violence serves only those who wish to undermine the democratic processes and interest of Bangladesh and its citizens, she added. British high commissioner Blake said, I am delighted to be able to join such a wonderful event, bringing together people from across the political spectrum and the country to pledge our support for inclusive politics and to help deliver Bangladeshis vision for free, fair, participatory elections in Bangladesh. That is the vision that has brought us all here today and that is the message we heard very clearly from all the speakers in the interviews and films shown in this room, she said, noting that there is a powerful link between democracy and human rights. And we hold onto a core belief that democracy requires the participation of all citizens all citizens and that includes indigenous peoples and members of minority communities, people with disabilities in a society that includes equality and equity in respect to access to civil and political rights, said Blake. This is not just a wish or a hope, but a right and what people deserve: that they will be able to express their views and that their voice will be count, she added. Because there is no mistaking the clear message that we hear from everyone across the country: that the people of Bangladesh want a peaceful political environment and tolerant political practices; that violence and disorder should not be a part of politics or elections; and that the victims of violence or disorder are not just the politically active or groups of opposing muscle but that it affects the rights and lives of the innocent bystanders and minorities, women, and marginalised communities, said the envoy.