No option for interim govt but to succeed, Yunus tells diplomats
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday assured the international community that a "free, fair, and participatory" election will be held once essential reforms are completed.
"The revolutionary students want us to carry out meaningful and deep reforms that will turn the country into a real and thriving democracy. The task is huge, but doable with the support of all people and the international community," Yunus said, adding that success is the only option for the interim government.
Addressing a ‘Meet & Greet’ with diplomatic corps in Dhaka, Yunus emphasised that the interim government's mandate includes carrying out vital reforms to restore the integrity of national institutions.
This briefing, held at the InterContinental Hotel, marked Yunus’s first formal interaction with diplomats since the interim government's formation on August 5. Over 50 diplomats, including representatives from UN agencies, attended the session, where Yunus outlined the dire situation he inherited and the reforms needed to restore governance.
After the briefing, the chief adviser's press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, informed reporters Yunus’ messege that he conveyed to the diplomats.
Yunus highlighted the blatant election rigging that had deprived generations of their voting rights, and the economic mismanagement under the previous government, including politically influenced bank robberies and plundering of the state coffers. Yunus also stressed the importance of national reconciliation and promised to undertake robust economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and sustained growth.
Yunus assured that the interim government will uphold all international legal obligations, including international humanitarian and human rights laws. He pledged that Bangladesh would continue to actively participate in multilateralism, with the UN at its core, and maintain its contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.
On the Rohingya issue, Yunus stated that the interim government would continue to support the over one million Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh. He called for sustained international support for humanitarian operations and the eventual repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar with safety, dignity, and full rights.
Expressing his commitment to fostering friendly relations with all countries, Yunus urged trade and investment partners to maintain their trust in Bangladesh. He said that the interim government will not tolerate any disruptions to the global clothing supply chain, where Bangladesh is a key player.
"Bangladesh stands at the crossroads of a new beginning. Our valiant students and people deserve a lasting transformation of our nation. It is a difficult journey, and we need your help along the way," Yunus said. He reiterated the interim government's commitment to creating opportunities for building a poverty-free and prosperous new Bangladesh.
Yunus paid tribute to the students and citizens who sacrificed their lives in the recent uprisings, noting that no other country in recent memory had endured such a high cost for expressing democratic aspirations. He said that restoring law and order is a top priority for the interim government, with the police and armed forces playing crucial roles in this effort.
Yunus also discussed the need for justice and accountability for the violence and killings during the recent mass uprising. He welcomed the UN Human Rights Office’s decision to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the massacre, promising full cooperation from the interim government.
Yunus iterated that he took on the responsibility at the request of the students and appealed to the international community for support in rebuilding Bangladesh, which he described as being left in a "complete mess" by the previous government.
