Dhaka: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today stated that Bangladesh was transformed into a totalitarian state during what he described as the ‘Awami fascist regime’. He expressed these views in a message on the eve of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman emphasized the importance of the international day declared by the United Nations in support of the oppressed, highlighting its immense significance. He noted that while many nations gained independence following World War II, violence and conflict have persisted globally. He pointed out that bloodthirstiness continues to fuel terrible violence and bloodshed in various countries, leading to countless deaths, injuries, and maiming worldwide.
Tarique Rahman asserted that autocratic regimes in several countries are brutally repressing and oppressing their opponents, posing a serious threat to the lives and property of their citizens. He described how people with opposing views endure years of imprisonment under false charges, including disappearances and murders, under the tyranny of dictators.
He specifically criticized the Awami regime, stating, “The terrible Awami fascist misrule has been going on in Bangladesh for almost 16 years, imprisoning democracy.” He alleged that during this period, Bangladesh was turned into a totalitarian state and that civil liberties, including freedom of expression, were severely curtailed.
Highlighting the constraints on press freedom, Tarique Rahman claimed that the symbol of democracy in Bangladesh, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, was unjustly sentenced and imprisoned under false charges. He accused the Awami government of obstructing proper medical treatment for the ailing national leader, leaving the nation speechless and bound by fear.
When the BNP protested against the government’s undemocratic practices, Tarique Rahman alleged that pro-AL ‘thugs’ were unleashed, endangering the lives of ordinary citizens, including women and children. He criticized the culture of impunity established by the Awami government, which he claimed uprooted humanity.
He emphasized that only in a democratic society are people’s rights fully ensured, and while the nation might be free from fascism, the process of building democratic institutions and fair practices has not yet begun. Tarique Rahman warned against the dangers of ‘mob justice’ and stressed the need to maintain a dynamic and continuous democracy.
Tarique Rahman called for upholding the values of humanity, justice, rule of law, and free and fair elections, stressing the importance of maintaining unity among democratic forces. He expressed sympathy for all oppressed individuals worldwide, including those in Bangladesh, and advocated for the collective efforts of democracy-loving people globally to defeat oppressive regimes.