investment protection
National unity advocates warn against violence, urge investment protection
A group of people, seeking national unity, have said communal or political violence would only make the economic situation far worse, scaring away domestic and foreign investment that are badly needed at this moment.
“We urge all Bangladeshis, irrespective of religion, political affiliation, ideology, gender, age or any other characteristics, to maintain national unity in the face of this threat,” they said in a statement, expressing their solidarity for the “unified voice” in Bangladesh.
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Dr Rumi Ahmed Khan, Professor of Bangladesh Studies, Physician, Convenor - Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network, Dr Shamaruh Mirza, scientist and activist, founder - Diaspora Alliance for Democracy, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, writer and activist, Ehteshamul Haque, lawyer, Jyoti Rahman, economist and writer; Dr Faham Abdus, scientist and activist; Nusrat Khan Majlish, engineer; Dr Nusrat Homaira, scientist; Dr Syed Rouf, Public service, Canada; Nazia Ahmed, economist and social entrepreneur; Maj Shafayat Ahmad (Retd), writer and activist; Dr Ahmad Habibur Rahman, retired faculty and engineer; Sultan Mohammed Zakaria, educationist and human rights defender; Dr Mubashar Hasan, academic and social justice activist, Executive Director - Sydney Policy Analysis Centre; Ifat Tabassum, Public Service, Australia; Dr Saiful Khondaker; Rupom Razzaque, Data Engineer and Human Rights Defender, UK; Dr Mohammed Mia, Investment Strategist and Finance Professional; Z Chowdhury, Asad Ul Islam, M Rashed; Abu Sayeed Ahamed, writer and activist; Muntasir Mamun, Ashraful Hasan, Jon Danilowicz, Kazi Ahmed, Taukir Aziz, Ehatasham Haque, Murshid Shalin, Asif Khan, Mariha Tahsin, Saif Shah Mohammed, Mahmudul Khan Apel, Faisal Mahmud, Dr Capt (rtd) Khan Sobayel Bin Rafiq, Md Subail Bin Alam, Imtiaz Mirza, Jayed Ullash, Asif Iqbal, Dr Saimum Parvez, Shahad Munna, Zia Hassan, writer and activist; Fahim Mashroor, Sainul Hossain, Zia Hassan Siddique, Dr Rushad Faridi, Islamul Haque, Waseem Alim and Rubaiyath Sarwar are the signatories to the statement.
The statement says that the forces of the fallen regime, with overt and covert support of their foreign patrons, are actively sowing divisions in the country through spreading misinformation and disinformation, and instigating violence.
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The statement claims that there is a concerted campaign of exaggerated, embellished, and at times, deliberately false reports of persecution of minority communities in Bangladesh.
This propaganda unfortunately resulted in the brutal murder of lawyer Saiful Islam in Chattogram on 26 November 2024, they claimed.
They said the interim administration, headed by Prof Muhammad Yunus, enjoys widespread support among all segments of the society.
The nation faces an urgent task of restoring confidence and trust in all institutions of the state, rebuilding the economy, and carrying out necessary reforms that will pave the way for a democratic transition, said the signatories.
They unequivocally condemned the lawyer's murder, and demanded a prompt and thorough investigation, and punishment of the perpetrators.
Against the solemn backdrop of the tragedy, and communal tensions leading up to it, they said, there has been a fear of reprisals against minority communities.
“The people of Bangladesh, however, have shown utmost restraint and have resolutely thwarted any further escalation of violence,” the statement reads.
The murderers do not represent any sect, creed, or religion but they could well be agents of the fallen despot Sheikh Hasina and her patrons, they said.
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In this context, the signatories said, all pro-democracy forces must exercise patience and restraint while they pursue their aims to rebuild Bangladesh.
“Any incendiary calls or activities could add fuel to the fire and help the fallen despot. Moreover, we are yet to dig out of the great economic black hole the Hasina regime has left our country in,” the statement says.
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