BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said if the practice of democracy continues, no dictatorial force can raise its head and it is not possible to turn the people into slaves.
He made the remarks in a message on the eve of the International Democracy Day tomorrow.
Rizvi, the political advisor to Prime Minister said, "Tomorrow is International Democracy Day. This day supports creating interest in democracy and giving a strong foundation to the rule of law, freedom of expression, civil rights, human rights, and accountable institutions. I pay deep respect to those who sacrificed their lives in Bangladesh and various countries of the world in the struggle to achieve democracy. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs who embraced martyrdom and express profound sympathy to the injured.”
He added that the importance of this day lies in protecting human rights. Democracy creates an environment where people's fundamental rights and freedoms remain protected. Elected public representatives strive to provide service and ensure just rights of the people. If the practice of democracy continues, no dictatorial force can raise its head, and because of that, it is not possible to turn the people into slaves.
The message further said the black claws of one-party misrule still prevail in various countries. For one and a half decades, a terrible Awami fascist rule was established in Bangladesh by eliminating civil liberties, voting rights, human dignity, and human rights. Through various dark laws, freedom of the press was snatched away, and many became victims of enforced disappearance, murder, and extrajudicial killing.
In the movement to establish democracy, Bangladesh's legendary uncompromising fighter, national leader the late Begum Khaleda Zia, was kept imprisoned in false and fabricated cases. The Chairman of BNP and the current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was subjected to the barbaric oppression of being sentenced in false cases. The people of the country endured 16 years of a terrible dark period, and through the historic bloody movement of July-August 2024, the fall of autocracy took place, it added.
“After the free and fair election of last 12 February, a true democratic government has now been formed in this country. The current democratic system must be made stronger and more dynamic, and democracy must be given a permanent form. To keep democracy active, the continuity of neutral elections must be ensured. True democracy is not possible without universal education, social justice, and the rule of law,” said the Acting Secretary General.
He added we have overcome difficult times and brought about the fall of autocracy, now we must throw ourselves into the overall effort to build an effective democratic state.