ASIA/BANGLADESH – The Archbishop of Dhaka: “We have confidence in the work of the interim government”
Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) – “The interim government in power in Bangladesh is doing its best, working against corruption and for transparency. The executive led by Mohammad Yunus is made up of people who seem sincerely committed to the good of society”, Mgr. Bejoy D’Cruze, OMI, Archbishop of Dhaka, told Fides, commenting on the present and future of this South Asian country where a student uprising between July and August 2024 led to the resignation and dismissal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who took refuge in India. “The interim government gave itself approximately two years to carry out the reforms that the country needed and listened to representatives of the student movement, civil society, political movements, religious communities,” she reports. . “I met Yunus who assured me of his commitment to respecting the rights of all, including minority religious communities such as Hindus and Christians. He listened to us and seems to be a fair and just man,” Mr. D’Cruze continues. Mr. Yunus announced the creation of six commissions responsible for examining the reform of as many sectors: the electoral system, the police, justice, the anti-corruption commission, public administration and the constitution. “The issues on the agenda are numerous and difficult, and it takes time to take the right steps. I think the Bangladeshi people must now show patience and trust. The important thing is that democracy is always protected, that the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are guaranteed, that the secularism of the State is not abandoned and that the rule of law is always respected and promoted,” he hopes. archbishop.
In recent days, the International Criminal Court of Bangladesh (ICTY) began trials for crimes against humanity committed during anti-government protests in July and August and issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 other people, including several prominent members of Hasina’s “Awami League” (People’s League) party. The new government reconstituted the court and appointed judges to review more than 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide. Hasina is involved in more than 200 investigations into murders, attempted murders, kidnappings and other crimes.
The archbishop recalls the most fiery days of the demonstration: “In truth, no one expected such a turnaround. The former prime minister had been in power for three terms and had been accused of political manipulation, corruption and a lack of transparency. His government has also been harsh towards all political opposition, restricting freedom of opinion, conscience and expression. After some initial protests, the police responded with heavy violence, which inflamed tempers and increased the scale of the revolt, ultimately leading to the fall of the executive,” he notes. It was a shock to many, but it must be recognized that the country needed a change. Today we are trying to build a just and peaceful future. We are in a transitional phase of uncertainty, it is true, the demonstrations have not yet completely calmed down and there have been some problems, for example for Hindu communities who have suffered unprovoked attacks. There are fears that radical Islamic groups will take advantage of the opportunity to proselytize. As Bangladeshi Catholics, we have faith and hope in the good work and goodwill of the Yunus government, which we hope will lead the country into a new historic phase of stability, justice and prosperity,” concludes he. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/22/2024)
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