National Citizen Party (NCP) has strongly condemned and protested against the denial of permission for State Reform Movement’s pre-scheduled peaceful political gathering at Central Shaheed Minar.
The party characterised the incident as a blatant attack on independent political practice and constitutionally recognised freedom of assembly – expressing deep concern and strong protest over deplorable acts.
In a joint statement, the party’s convenor and member secretary said in the “new Bangladesh” achieved through the July mass uprising, there is absolutely no scope to snatch away the democratic rights of any political party.
They, however, expressed great regret that the elected government is continuing old practice of obstructing opposition or dissenting political programmes, echoing actions of the past defeated autocratic and fascist regimes.
The leaders emphasised that public did not shed their blood to witness the repetition of an autocratic regime, mentioning preventing a political party vocal for state reforms from holding assemblies is directly contrary to the spirit of the mass uprising and democratic values.
They added that under no pretext or argument can the deprivation of citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in an independent state be justified.
Moreover, they said the undemocratic mentality of blocking the opposition’s path using state forces proves that a fundamental change in the governance system remains elusive.
They warned that if the government fails to comprehend public aspirations and opts for the old path of oppression, the democratic reform process of the state and society will once again face a serious risk.
NCP has called on the government to immediately abandon its autocratic and undemocratic stance.
The party demanded that the constitutional rights of all political parties to hold peaceful and systematic meetings, assemblies, and programmes must be immediately ensured, and the abuse of administrative and police powers to suppress political opponents must be completely stopped.
They also urged that law enforcement forces must not be utilised for political gains but instead be engaged in the actual security and service of the state.
Issuing a stern warning, the leaders declared that NCP, along with the people of the country, would resist any attempt to snatch away freedom of speech and the right to assembly on the streets.
They added that if equal democratic and political opportunities are not immediately ensured for all parties, NCP will play a vocal role on the streets with general public across the country to protect democratic rights.
