Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today extended his heartfelt greetings to all democracy-loving people in Bangladesh and across the world on the occasion of International Day of Democracy, expressing his support for their democratic, political and human rights.
“On this occasion, I extend my sincere greetings to all the pro-democracy people in Bangladesh and across the world and express my support for all their democratic and human rights,” he said in a message today.
The premier said that since independence, people’s democratic rights have been snatched away at different times in Bangladesh while democracy has been killed.
“Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the declarer of Bangladesh’s independence, had introduced multiparty democracy in the country and restored people’s freedom of speech, personal freedom and freedom of the press,” he said, adding, “The BNP, whether in government or in opposition, has repeatedly stood in favour of democracy from all positions.”
Tarique Rahman said fascist rule and exploitation had been re-established in the country by taking away all democratic and political rights of the people.
“Through a continuity of movements and struggles for more than a decade and a half, the brave students and people ended the fascist rule in the country through a bloody mass uprising,” he said, adding that in the fascism-free Bangladesh, the people have entrusted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with the responsibility of running the state through a free, fair and impartial election.
“The fundamental philosophy of democracy is to establish freedom of speech and individual freedom of people, as well as equality, human dignity and social justice, in the state and society,” the prime minister said.
Noting that democratic rights are not limited only to exercising the right to vote, he said that to establish democracy on a sustainable and institutional foundation, it is essential to ensure the political and economic empowerment of the people.
“To this end, the government is firmly committed to restoring the religious, political, social and cultural rights of the people in the country,” Tarique Rahman said, adding, “The interests of the people must be protected through dialogue and discussion with the people.”
Stating that establishing a welfare-oriented state and society is currently the government’s commitment to the people, he said, “To fulfil this commitment, the government is working tirelessly with the resolve of ‘Bangladesh First-Bangladesh for All’.”
“We want to build such a Bangladesh where the prosperity and self-reliance of future generations, an inclusive and liberal political environment, and social stability and justice will be ensured,” the prime minister said.
“I express my respect for the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh and the world on the International Day of Democracy,” Tarique Rahman said.
The International Day of Democracy will be observed across the world tomorrow with the theme ‘Raising Hands and Voices-Fostering Agency and Ownership through Deliberative Democracy’.
