Interim government’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said the timing of the national election will be determined by political decisions rather than by his administration.
"When the election will be held is entirely a political decision, not one for us to make. It’s up to the country’s people when you’ll let us leave the office. We came into office in response to the students' call and they are our primary appointing authority. The general public of the country has endorsed our appointment,” the chief adviser said.
In his televised address to the nation, he, however, said a free, fair, and participatory election will be arranged after completing necessary reforms in the administration, judiciary, election commission and electoral system, law and order, and information flow to bring the student-led mass upsurge to a successful conclusion.
He also said it will be up to the people of the country to decide when the interim government’s tenure will conclude.
“Everyone is keen to know when our government will end its tenure. The answer to this question is in your hands—when you will let us go. We are not individuals who seek to rule the country. We take pleasure in our respective professions,” the chief adviser said.
He said they took on the responsibility to govern the country in response to the students' call during a time of national crisis. “We are committed to fulfilling this duty with all our strength. Our advisory council is also inspired towards this goal, working together as a team.”
Prof Yunus said they will continually remind everyone so that the question of when the interim government will leave office does not arise suddenly. ”We’ll leave the office when they tell us to do so.”
As part of state reforms, Dr Yunus said they will also work to reform the Election Commission to ensure that it is always prepared for a fair and ideal election.
Stating that they have initiated various reform tasks, the chief adviser urged the people to start a discussion about what minimum work the current government should complete.
“Through this discussion, we can get some direction. But the final decision will be a political one, and it will come from political discussions. Without this direction, we cannot proceed firmly in discussions with donor governments and international financial institutions,” he said.
Dr Yunus assured that they will not raise any questions about extending the term of the government from their side.
He urged all to pray for them so that the advisers can contribute to overcoming the country's crisis to the best of their ability. “The opportunity to build a new Bangladesh, earned through the blood of students and the public, must not be squandered due to our disagreements. We are committed to ensuring this. If we lose this opportunity, we will be defeated as a nation.”
Have Patience
Prof Yunus urged the country’s people to be patient and allow time for the mountain-like challenges to be overcome gradually, rather than insisting on immediate solutions.
“I would like to say, you have to be patient. We must avoid forcing all demands to be met now, entering the institution and threatening individuals, pressing for accepting the case and tendency to punish arrested individuals in the court before their trial,” he said.
In his televised address to the nation, Prof Yunus warned that unruly behavior could undermine the glory and potential of the people's revolution and hinder efforts to build a new Bangladesh.
Stating that it has been only two weeks since the current government took office; the chief adviser sincerely thanked the people for their support during the initial phase of state reforms.
“We understand that you have high expectations from us, and we are committed to fulfilling them. The long period of democratic deficit and 15 years of fascist rule that have left us with mountain-like challenges in nearly every sector. We are prepared to face these challenges.”
Dr Yunus, the 2006 Nobel peace laureate, said it is difficult to overcome the current situation of the country overnight as his government is working to rebuild the country standing on a structure that is quite contrary to the public interest.
“We want to build the country in such a way so that its people truly become the source of all power. We want it to be recognized as a humane and welfare-oriented nation on the global stage. We must succeed in state reforms to honor the sacrifices of the younger generation, students, and the people. There is no alternative to this,” he observed.
The chief adviser said local government institutions will be empowered and decentralization of power will be ensured to strengthen democracy.
Mentioning that the current government has taken a clear stance against corruption, he said all the advisors will present their asset details within the shortest possible time. “Gradually, this will become a regular and mandatory practice for all government officials.”
To address corruption at the state level, the chief adviser said an ordinance must be promulgated for the appointment of an ombudsman as promised in Article 77 of the Constitution.
He said a committee has already been formed to prepare a white paper on the corruption, money laundering, and anti-public interest agreements of the past 15 years.
“I have been meeting with ambassadors from different countries and representatives of donor organizations…I am requesting their support for all forms of economic and other assistance needed for rebuilding the country following the student-led mass upsurge,” Dr Yunus said.
One Family, One Goal
The Chief Adviser said that all necessary steps have been taken to restore normalcy in the flood-affected regions of Bangladesh.
He emphasized the importance of both domestic and regional cooperation to tackle such crises in the future.
“We are one family. We have one goal,” Prof Yunus declared. “We are committed to fulfilling the aspirations of our youth, and we are ready to take on this challenge.”
He called on the nation to support these efforts wholeheartedly, stressing the need to focus on long-term solutions rather than seeking immediate fixes or resorting to vigilante justice.
During his speech, the Nobel Peace Laureate also revealed plans to establish a ‘July Mass Killing Memorial Foundation’. This marked his second national address since assuming the role of Chief Adviser on August 8.
Prof Yunus said after the fascist government left the country in the face of a popular movement, they want to build a country where the human rights of every citizen will be fully protected.
“Our goal is one—a liberal, democratic, non-discriminatory, non-communal Bangladesh. We are one family. We have one goal. We are committed to not let any differences hinder our dreams,” he said.
Prof Yunus said only two weeks have passed since the current government assumed responsibility. “Thank you very much for the support I am getting from you in the first stage of the work of reforming the state.”
He said they understand that people’s expectations from the government are high and they are determined to fulfill this expectation.
Fifteen years of fascist rule left a mountain of challenges in almost every area, Prof Yunus said.
“But we are ready to accept this challenge. Today, I have come before you to seek your prayers and cooperation on behalf of the government. I will only say, you have to be patient,” he said.
The interim government has already started various reforms, he said.
"Political decisions will come from political discussions. If we do not get this direction, we cannot move forward firmly in discussions with donor organizations and international economic institutions,” he said.
He said the advisers have taken this responsibility at the call of students during the country's crisis. “We will fulfill this responsibility with all our strength. Our advisory board is also motivated by this goal and everyone is working as a team.”
UN Investigation
Prof Yunus has said they invited the head of the United Nations Human Rights Commission to come to Bangladesh to start their investigation to ensure a transparent probe into the tragic incidents of use of force and casualties during the popular uprising in July-August.
“This process of investigation will start this week. Their first team (primary team) has already arrived,” he said in a televised speech to the nation on Sunday evening.
Prof Yunus said they have already withdrawn most of the false and harassing cases filed to thwart the student revolution and arranged for the release of the detained students.
Families of all martyrs will be rehabilitated and justice will be ensured, he said, adding that the government will bear the full medical expenses of all the injured students and the public.
For that purpose, a complete list is being prepared with the help of two advisers representing the anti-discrimination student movement in the Advisory Council under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.
For these activities and to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the mass uprising, he said, the government quickly finalized the process of establishing a ‘July Mass Killing Memorial Foundation’.
“All of you, and our brothers and sisters living abroad are requested to send donations to this organization. I have personally accepted the post of chairman of this organization,” he said.
The team from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, led by Chief of the Asia-Pacific section Rory Mungoven, will be visiting Dhaka until August 29 for preliminary discussions with the interim government and other stakeholders.
The UN OHCHR team currently in Dhaka is engaging with the interim government, advisors, ministries, civil society, and a broad section of Bangladesh’s society to understand the country’s priorities for promoting human rights.
The team is also exploring how the Office of the High Commissioner can assist in fact-finding and investigations, supporting national processes as they move forward.
After his meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday, Rory Mungoven said they are in Dhaka to hold some preliminary and exploratory discussion with the interim government and see how their office can support the interim government and people of Bangladesh at this historic time.
“We see this is a historic opportunity for the country in restoring democracy, renewing institutions and advancing human rights,” he said.
Rory Mungoven said they would like to hear Bangladesh’s priorities and its needs going forward and explore some areas where the office could assist.
This is in response to a request from the interim government. Once the details are finalized, a separate fact-finding team will be dispatched in the coming weeks to conduct the investigation.