Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday called for ensuring people’s political and economic empowerment to make democracy sustainable and establish it on a strong institutional foundation.

“Democratic rights are not limited to exercising the right to vote. To make democracy sustainable and establish it on an institutional foundation, it is essential to ensure the political and economic empowerment of the people,” he said in a message on the occasion of International Day of Democracy.

The Prime Minister said his government is committed to restoring the religious, political, social and cultural rights of the people.

Greeting democracy-loving people in Bangladesh and across the world, he expressed his support for their democratic and human rights.

Tarique Rahman said democratic rights had been taken away and democracy had been “killed” in Bangladesh at different times since independence.

Recalling the role of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, he said the late President, who declared Bangladesh’s independence, had introduced multiparty democracy in the country and restored freedom of speech, individual liberty and freedom of the press.

“Whether in government or in opposition, BNP has repeatedly stood for democracy from every position,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the country had witnessed the establishment of what he described as a fascist system of rule and exploitation after the people’s democratic and political rights were taken away.

Tarique Rahman said the student-led mass movement, following more than one and a half decades of movements and struggles, ended the fascist rule in the country through a bloody mass uprising.

“In a fascism-free Bangladesh, the people entrusted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with the responsibility of running the state through a free, fair and neutral election,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the fundamental philosophy of democracy is to establish people’s freedom of speech and individual liberty, equality, human dignity and social justice in the state and society.

Referring to this year’s International Day of Democracy theme, “Raising Hands and Voices – Fostering Agency and Ownership through Deliberative Democracy,” he said the interests of the people must be protected through dialogue and consultation with them.

“Establishing a welfare-oriented state and society is the government’s commitment to the people at this moment,” Tarique Rahman said.

He said the government is working tirelessly with the resolve of “Bangladesh First — Bangladesh for All” to fulfil that commitment.

The Prime Minister said his government wants to build a Bangladesh where the prosperity and self-reliance of future generations will be ensured, along with an inclusive and liberal political environment, social stability and justice.

He once again conveyed his respect for the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh and the world on International Day of Democracy.