Tarique emerging as ‘new autocrat’, democracy unsafe in his hands: Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam on Friday accused Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of emerging as a “new autocrat”, escalating the opposition party’s criticism of the BNP government over human rights, enforced disappearances and laws governing dissent.

“Democracy is not safe in Tarique Rahman’s hands. Human rights are not safe in Tarique Rahman’s hands,” Nahid, also the opposition chief whip, told a human chain organised by the NCP in front of parliament.

“Tarique Rahman has emerged as a new autocrat,” he said, while arguing that Rahman would not be able to become an authoritarian ruler like ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina because public resistance would emerge before then.

The remarks mark a sharper turn in Nahid’s criticism of the government. Last month, he accused the administration of returning to “old fascist and authoritarian structures” and said Rahman had no plan to run the country. 

Friday’s demonstration was organised to protest what the NCP described as anti-people provisions in laws dealing with human rights, enforced disappearances, the SRB and cybersecurity, as well as the government’s failure to protect constitutional rights.

Nahid questioned the use of the Anti-Terrorism Act against government critics, citing cases involving Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir and Sifat of Gazipur.

“What act of terrorism did Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir commit?” he asked. “Is making a meme about Tarique Rahman terrorism? Is making derogatory remarks terrorism?”

He also demanded information about Miraj Sheikh, saying there had been no trace of him for five months.

Nahid criticised provisions in the law on enforced disappearances that he said could punish complainants if their allegations were later found to be false. Such provisions, he argued, could discourage victims and families from filing complaints.

He accused the BNP of changing its position after coming to power, saying the party had previously demanded international and UN investigations into enforced disappearances while in opposition.

“If one force carries out an enforced disappearance, they now want another force to investigate it. That means there will be no justice for enforced disappearances,” he said.

Nahid demanded amendments allowing the Human Rights Commission to independently investigate disappearance allegations and called for safeguards to ensure changes to the Cyber Protection Act do not restrict freedom of expression.

ACC accused of targeting opposition

The NCP chief also accused the Anti-Corruption Commission of targeting his party and the wider opposition instead of undergoing institutional reform.

“If you have the courage, investigate the corruption allegations from 2001 to 2006,” Nahid said, referring to the BNP’s previous tenure in government.

He accused the government of undermining parliament and abandoning its commitment to human rights, saying laws and institutions were instead being designed in ways that could restrict those rights.

“We fought to secure the country’s fundamental and democratic rights,” Nahid said. “Those democratic and fundamental rights have still not been ensured in this country.”

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and other senior party leaders attended the demonstration.

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