Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called for collective efforts to establish a truly effective democratic state, emphasising the importance of unity in safeguarding democratic values.
In a message marking the International Day of Democracy, he said, that having overcome dark days and brought down autocracy, they had to then involve themselves to united efforts for building an effective democratic state.
Fakhrul underscored the significance of the day, noting that September 15 serves as a global reminder to uphold the rule of law, freedom of expression, civil rights, human rights, and institutional accountability.
Through the observance of this day, the practice and exercise of democracy is encouraged, he added.
The BNP secretary general also paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of democracy in Bangladesh and in the world.
鈥業 pray for salvation of the souls of the martyrs who laid down their lives and express sympathy to the injured. On this day, I extend my sincere greetings and felicitations to all democracy-loving people of the world.鈥�
Fakhrul said that democracy was such a system of governance where people could participate in exercising sovereign power, and people鈥檚 will was given due importance. Elected representatives strived to provide services and reach fair decisions.
鈥榃hen the practice of democracy continues, no autocratic force can rise, and that is why the people could not be turned into slaves.鈥�
鈥楾he dark claws of one-party misrule still exist in different countries. For a decade and a half in Bangladesh, too, a disastrous Awami fascist regime was established by snatching away civil liberties, voting rights, human dignity and human rights. Through various black laws, freedom of the press was seized, and many were victims of enforced disappearance, murder and extrajudicial killing due to dissents,鈥� he continued.
Fakhrul said that although the nation overcame a terrible 16-year dark period and achieved victory through a historic blood-soaked movement in July-August last year, full democracy had yet to arrive.
鈥楩ree, fair and impartial elections are integral to democracy. To make permanent democracy, the continuity of impartial elections must be ensured. True democracy is not possible without decentralization of state power, universal education and social justice,鈥� he observed.
The theme of this year鈥檚 International Day of Democracy is 鈥楢chieving Gender Equality Action by Action鈥�.
Referring to this, the BNP secretary seneral said that equal participation and access to opportunities for men, women and other genders were guaranteed in a democratic state and society.
鈥楧emocracy cannot promote discrimination against anyone on the basis of gender; rather, it ensures equal legal and social rights for all,鈥� he added.
