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Bangladesh Chief Adviser Promises Timely National Election, No Surprises Thursday, 01.10.2008, 12:22am (GMT6) UNB, Dhaka, Jan 9, 2008: Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday said his caretaker government and the Election Commission were proceeding towards holding the general election before end of this year (2008) and there is no reason for doubt about it.
The head of caretaker government stated this to the visiting Amnesty International Secretary General, Irene Khan, when she paid a courtesy call on him at the CA's office. Dr Fakhruddin said the main objective of the government is to hold a free, fair and credible election within the targeted timeframe and the Election Commission is working to this end following its announced roadmap. Lifting restrictions imposed under state of emergency, election, human rights, Right to Information Act, reform of the Police Act and trial of war criminals came up for discussion. On trial of war criminals, the CA said the present government mainly focused on reforms and election. He however said political parties could include the issue in their next election manifesto. On trial of suspected corrupt, he said they have been tried in normal process under the existing law of the land. "None is above the law and everybody is given due process." Irene Khan said they would submit some recommendations to the government for expediting reforms. Similarly, they will give recommendations to the political parties. On restrictions under state of emergency, Dr Fakhruddin said under the state of emergency some restrictions had to be imposed. He, however, said if the government felt necessary, it would lift restrictions gradually, according to the CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim The AI secretary general appreciated government's various reform measures and steps, including separation of the judiciary and the formation of National Human Rights Commission (NRC). "You have started remarkable things and the next government will have to follow those," she said. Irene said selections at Human Rights Commission are important. The CA said they would look into proper selection of people for the NHRC, adding that the government is observing what best practices can be of Human Rights Commission in the light of other countries' Human Rights commissions. Responding to a suggestion for making public the reports of various commissions, the CA said they would try to develop a system to this end. Director of the Amnesty International, Denmark, Lars Normann Jorgensen and head of office of AI Secretary general Judit Arenas Licsa accompanied the AI secretary general. @ The Bangladesh Journal
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