Speaker of the Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Tuesday sought the cooperation of the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) in enhancing the capacity of members of the 13th Parliament through training, workshops and experience-sharing programmes.
He sought the cooperation when IRI Bangladesh Resident Programme Director John Fluharty paid a courtesy call on the Speaker at the latter’s office here in the city.
During the meeting, Fluharty briefed the Speaker on various initiatives being implemented by IRI, a US-based democracy advising organization, in Bangladesh to support democratic development and political stability.
Referring to allegations that approximately Tk 28 lakh crore was siphoned abroad during Sheikh Hasina’s regime, the Speaker sought US cooperation in bringing back the laundered money back to the country.
Focusing on what he described as prolonged repression during the one-and-a-half-decade regime of Sheikh Hasina, Hafiz Uddin said that incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, suppression of dissent and the existence of secret detention facilities severely restricted freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
The speaker said the latest parliamentary election held on February 12, 2026 was an internationally recognised and most acceptable election in the history of Bangladesh.
He said newly elected lawmakers are gradually becoming familiar with parliamentary procedures and responsibilities.
Referring to a recent orientation programme organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Speaker said MPs received practical ideas from experts on their duties and functions.
He said the primary objective of the present democratic government is to uphold freedom of expression for all citizens, including opposition voices, while strengthening democratic practices and eliminating corruption.
Expressing optimism about the implementation of the July Charter, he said the government and opposition parties would reach a consensus through dialogue.
He also praised the opposition's constructive role in addressing national challenges, including the energy crisis, which is very encouraging (for the country's democracy).
Secretary of Parliament Secretariat Barrister Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan and IRI Consultant Amitabh Ghosh were also present at the meeting.