Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh’s long-term development and sustainable progress depend on building an effective and robust democratic system.
“We believe that sustainable progress and development of the country can be ensured through an effective and strong democratic system,” he said during a courtesy meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary Anda Filip at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The prime minister said Bangladesh had regained democracy following a prolonged struggle and expressed confidence that the country could further consolidate its democratic institutions, according to PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
“We are very happy that after a long struggle, we have been able to restore democracy in the country. We have struggled for democracy for a long time,” Tarique said.
He said many leaders and activists of his party had been subjected to enforced disappearances and killings during the movement for democracy, while around 40 lakh party leaders and activists faced what he described as false cases.
“Finally, through the February 12 election, we were able to pave the way for democratic practice in the country,” he said.
Tarique said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had contributed to the restoration of both multiparty and parliamentary democracy in the country.
“There are still some challenges ahead of us. But we are optimistic and firmly committed to democracy. People’s expectations from democracy are very high,” he said.
The prime minister said his government is working to uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens and ensure that people received the services they needed.
IPU Secretary Anda Filip praised Tarique’s leadership and his regular participation in parliamentary sessions, saying his presence conveyed a strong commitment to parliamentary democracy.
Anda Filip said she had studied the BNP’s election manifesto and welcomed its proposed initiatives in education and community-based programmes.
She also praised Bangladesh’s progress in parliamentary democracy, saying sustained advancement would help increase public trust in state institutions and the democratic system.
The IPU secretary said the organisation wanted to deepen cooperation with the Bangladesh Parliament through greater experience-sharing and collaboration.
She expressed hope that the participation of the Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament in the 153rd IPU Assembly in Tanzania would further strengthen ties between the IPU and Bangladesh’s legislature.
Anda Filip also highlighted the need to increase civic awareness to make democracy more effective and sustainable.
Women’s empowerment was also discussed during the meeting. Referring to her interactions with young and women lawmakers, Anda Filip said they were highly enthusiastic and interested.
Tarique said empowering women remained one of his government’s major priorities
He said the government planned to provide free education for women up to the honours level and introduce stipends for female students.
The prime minister also said the Family Card project was intended, among other objectives, to help women achieve financial independence and increase their participation in decision-making within their families.
State Minister-1 for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and State Minister-2 Shama Obaed were present during the meeting.
