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Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has stated that mob justice, in the guise of a violent frenzy, has emerged as an enemy of humanity, threatening the environment necessary for fostering a democratic culture. He emphasized the need to keep democracy dynamic and ensure its continuity to prevent the resurgence of a totalitarian state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (June 25) in observance of the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, he made these remarks. The statement was shared through a message signed by BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Tarique Rahman stressed that humanity, justice, the rule of law, and the tradition of free and fair elections must be established, underscoring the critical need for unity among democratic forces. He highlighted that global violence and bloodshed, driven by authoritarian regimes, have endangered the lives and properties of citizens, with countless people killed, injured, or disabled. He accused dictatorial regimes of subjecting their opponents to brutal oppression, enforced disappearances, murders, and false lawsuits, forcing them into years of unimaginable imprisonment.
Referring to the Awami League’s misrule, he said Bangladesh had been transformed into an oppressive state during their regime. Freedom of expression and other civil liberties were curtailed, and press freedom was shackled by draconian laws. He noted that BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was unjustly imprisoned in fabricated cases, and her access to proper medical treatment was obstructed by the ruthless Awami government. The entire nation, he said, was silenced and gripped by fear and uncertainty.
Tarique further stated that the fascist government’s undemocratic and intolerant actions unleashed violent forces, fostering a culture of impunity that endangered the existence of women, children, and ordinary citizens. While Bangladesh has been freed from fascism, the process of building democratic institutions and ensuring their proper functioning has yet to begin.
Highlighting the significance of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed annually on June 26, he said the day is dedicated to honoring and expressing solidarity with victims of torture. Despite many nations gaining independence after World War II, violence and conflicts persist globally, he added.
Expressing solidarity with tortured individuals in Bangladesh and worldwide, Tarique Rahman called for an end to the obstacles preventing victims from receiving justice. He urged the united efforts of democracy-loving people globally to defeat oppressive regimes and torturers through a collective commitment to humanity.
AI/MR
