UN views Bangladesh's reform issues as internal matter, says BNP

The United Nations considers political reforms in Bangladesh an internal matter, said BNP leaders following a roundtable discussion on reform proposals on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the discussion, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they told the UN that reforms should be implemented as soon as possible, with a focus on the election.

"We have insisted that reforms must be carried out without delay. We were the first party to raise the issue of reforms. It is essential that these reforms, particularly in relation to the upcoming election, are completed promptly," he said.

Fakhrul said they also talked about holding the next national election after completing the polls-related reforms.

The BNP leader said they said the parliament that will be formed through the election will implement the remaining reforms. "We’ve said it’s a continuous process.”

Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The UN has said it’s an internal affair of Bangladesh, and it is for you (politicians) to sit together and determine what reforms will be made."

He also mentioned that the UN expressed hope that a strong democratic government would be established in Bangladesh through the upcoming election that should be in line with the will of the people of Bangladesh.

“He (UN Secretary-General) hoped that the upcoming elections will set a precedent in the world,” Salahuddin said.

Replying to a question, Fakhrul said they did not discuss any time-frame for completing the reforms, as it is an internal matter of Bangladesh.

"We are in talks with the reform commissions... we are in contact with them, and we have provided what they have asked for… So, there can be no questions regarding those matters. Why should we provide a time-frame to the UN Secretary-General?" he observed.

The BNP leader also said they participated in the roundtable organised by the UN’s Dhaka office and shared their views on the reforms and the election.

Basically, he said the UN Secretary-General was informed about the reform initiative and the commissions established by the government in this regard.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders.

Apart from BNP, the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Nagarik Oikya, CPB, AB Party and Ganosanhati Andolon participated in the event.

On behalf of BNP, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed joined the meeting.

UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, and representatives of different other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinental.