Democracy, Good Governance
Bangladesh makes progress
Speakers tell seminar
Bangladesh has made progress in the areas of democracy, good governance, rule of law, and human rights during the last 40 years but is still far from international standard or that of Nordic countries, speakers observed at a seminar yesterday.
They said state power has shifted from one political party to the other but the overall situation has not changed much and the people did not get benefits that much due to intolerance among the political parties, disrespect to others' opinions, misuse of laws, culture of impunity, and absence of necessary and effective institutions.
The seminar on “governance and human rights issues” was held at the Senate Hall of Dhaka University yesterday. It was one of the two seminars organised in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the recognition of independence Bangladesh by three Nordic countries--Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
“The overall trend is upward but we should not be complacent for this, as we still need to go a long way in the areas of good governance, rule of law, women empowerment, and human rights”, said Prof Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, who moderated the seminar.
Barrister Sara Hossain explained how the poor people of the country were being deprived of justice and how security forces can maintain zero tolerance about all forms of torture, killing, and human rights violation.
In reply to a question by a student, she said the Indian human rights organisations and the media strongly protested the incident of torture of a Bangladeshi youth on the borders.
At the seminar, Norwegian Ambassador Range Birte Lund assured Bangladesh of more cooperation for further improvement of democracy, good governance, and human rights situation. She also promised to increase more scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam, Prof Rawnak Jahan, Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, and Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) executive director Prof Mustafizur Rahman also took part in the discussion.
Another seminar on “business and future relations between Bangladesh and the Scandinavian countries” was organised at the same venue, which was attended by entrepreneurs, students, and teachers.
The seminar, which turned out to be very lively for a question and answer session, was chaired by president of Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industries Arild Klokkerhaug.
President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Rokia Afzal Rahman, Danish Ambassador Svend Olling, Group Director of Rahimafrooz Munawar Misbad, and Prof Syed Munir Khasru of Institute of Business Administration of Dhaka University answered various questions on how economic and business relations can be increased between Bangladesh and the Nordic countries.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, who spoke at the inaugural session as chief guest, said the three Nordic countries continued their cooperation in various areas since they had recognised Bangladesh on February 4, 1972. She hoped that the relations would be further strengthened in future.
Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice chancellor of Dhaka University, said a large number of Bangladeshi students were going for higher studies in the Nordic countries. He requested the countries for increasing the scholarship for Bangladeshi students.
Swedish Ambassador Anneli Lindakl Kenny gave the welcome speech at the opening session.
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