Politicians and experts have raised concerns that the proposed humanitarian corridor from Bangladesh to Myanmar鈥檚 Rakhine State may be a strategic distraction by the interim government from urgent domestic issues, including electoral reforms and the restoration of democratic governance.
Speaking at a seminar in the capital on Saturday, several speakers questioned the legitimacy of the caretaker administration in dealing with such a sensitive cross-border issue.
The Centre for Governance and Security Analysis organised the seminar styled as 鈥楤angladesh鈥檚 Geopolitical Security: Humanitarian Corridor Perspective鈥� at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.聽
They warned that the corridor could expose Bangladesh to foreign military and political influence, adding that it could also increase the risk of conflict along the border.
This government, said politicians, has no electoral mandate to engage in such major geopolitical decisions and people deserve clarity on what this corridor truly entails and how it may affect our national interest.
Participants slated the interim government鈥檚 handling of the matter, noting that the public remained in the dark as three separate statements from three government advisers had only added to the confusion.
Calling for transparency, political leaders demanded that the interim government must clarify its position and intentions in this regard.
They emphasised the need for a broader national dialogue and a focus on returning to democratic processes, rather than taking unilateral decisions on complex international matters.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the timing and motive behind the corridor proposal might be a diversion from urgent domestic issues like electoral reform, governance accountability and democratic restoration.
鈥楾he people want elections, not geopolitical experiments. We are noticing that everything is discussed 鈥� except the road map to restore democracy,鈥� he said.
Khasru said that the people of Bangladesh would not accept this erosion of sovereignty in the name of humanitarian corridor.
The BNP leader said that introducing a humanitarian corridor in a volatile, war-torn region could draw Bangladesh into a proxy conflict.
鈥楢re we to become a springboard for superpower agendas?鈥� he questioned.
Khasru said that they were shocked that such a major policy decision was taken without public consultation, parliamentary oversight or clarification about the legal or diplomatic basis of the initiative.
Security analyst Jaglul Ahsan presented the keynote paper at the event, warning that such a move, if aligned with the strategic agenda of any global power, could entangle Bangladesh in a dangerous geopolitical rivalry and thus destabilise its national security.
鈥楾he decision to allow a humanitarian corridor is not only difficult but extremely sensitive. Alongside its management, ensuring national security will be critical,鈥� the paper read.
According to the paper, a unilateral decision by the interim government would be inappropriate, especially in the absence of an active parliament.
The paper urged the government to initiate open, inclusive discussions with the political parties and national stakeholders before committing to any such bid.
Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna raised serious concerns over the government鈥檚 lack of transparency surrounding the humanitarian corridor, warning that secrecy about the matter at the highest level poses a direct threat to national security.
The government鈥檚 denial and vague responses on any important issue signal deeper, unchecked activities that could endanger the country, observed Manna.
He also criticised a recent claim by the chief adviser that only one political party wanted election in December, calling the comment exclusionary and undemocratic.
Manna claimed that the absence of open discussions on the proposed corridor was eroding both national security and democratic integrity.
Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh secretary general Saiful Haque cautioned the interim government against exceeding its limited mandate, saying that it was only entrusted with day-to-day operations.
On the proposed humanitarian corridor, he warned, 鈥榃e urge the government 鈥攜ou have done enough. Stop now before going any further.鈥�
AB Party president Mujibur Rahman Manju stressed the need for transparency about the proposed humanitarian corridor, urging authorities to clearly outline its purpose and implications.
National Citizen Party joint convener Humaira Noor raised concerns about Bangladesh鈥檚 capacity to manage the proposed humanitarian corridor, questioning whether the country is prepared for (managing )the potential security and political risks.
