Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram on Monday said democracy remained elusive in Bangladesh even after the country achieved victory in the Liberation War in 1971.
“Although we achieved victory in the great Liberation War, democracy was not established. Despite the establishment of an independent Bangladesh through a nine-month-long bloody war, democracy remained elusive,” he said.
The Speaker made the remarks when a delegation led by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Anda Filip met him at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Hafiz Uddin said the people of Bangladesh are democracy-loving and have repeatedly sacrificed their lives for democracy.
“During the great Liberation War of 1971, the people did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves to restore democracy and establish their rights. The people of this country have never supported autocracy,” he said.
The Speaker said democracy began to take root in Bangladesh under the leadership of late President Ziaur Rahman, whom he described as the country's “proclaimer of independence” and one of the most popular presidents in its history.
He said the national elections held in 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2024 were “farces” that undermined the democratic rights of people and destroyed democracy in the country.
“Against this backdrop, the student-people uprising in 2024 brought an end to autocracy in Bangladesh's history,” he said.
The Speaker said the latest (2026) national parliamentary election was one of the freest, most competitive and fairest elections in the country's history.
He said the 13th parliament is now carrying out its responsibilities as a reflection of the democratic hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.
IPU Secretary General Anda Filip said the aspirations of the people have been fulfilled through the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
She said democratic reforms and amendments would help discharge the responsibility to future generations.
“By establishing parliamentary democracy amid the trust of the people, it is possible to build a strong, effective and democratic parliament,” she said.
During the meeting, they discussed Bangladesh's effective role in United Nations bodies and the UN General Assembly, the settlement of Bangladesh's maritime boundary case at an international court, and various issues related to parliamentary diplomacy.
Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam and Secretary of Parliament Secretariat Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan, among others, were present, said a press release.