DHAKA, AUG 18 :  Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Sunday urged full support from the international community to rebuild the country following the “second revolution”, a reference to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following the deadly quota reforms protests in which over 500 were killed, media reports said.

According to Dhaka Tribune, Yunus said, “The revolutionary students want us to carry meaningful and deep reforms, which will turn the country into a real and thriving democracy. The task is huge but doable with the support of all people and the international community.”

He made this call while briefing diplomats in Dhaka. This was the maiden briefing of the Chief Adviser since the interim government’s inception.

Over 50 diplomats, including representatives from UN agencies attended the briefing.
Dr Yunus told the international community that the interim government is committed to holding free, fair, and participatory elections soon once “deep reforms” are completed, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Dr Yunus told the diplomats, “I took over a country which was in many ways a complete mess. In their efforts to stay in power, the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship destroyed every institution of the country. The judiciary was broken. Democratic rights were suppressed through a brutal decade-and-a-half-long crackdown,’ he said.

According to Dhaka Tribune reports, Dr. Yunus emphasized that a new era has begun in Bangladesh, where students envision a country where people of all political, religious, or ethnic backgrounds can achieve their aspirations and enjoy freedom of expression, with a government upholding democracy, justice, and human rights.

Dr. Yunus emphasized that his government’s top priority is to control the country’s law and order situation.

“We will be close to normalcy within a short period of time, with the unwavering support of our people and patriotic armed forces. The police force has also resumed their operations. The armed forces will continue to serve in aid of civil power as long as the situation warrants. Our government remains pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups,” said Dr Yunus.

He also emphasized on ensuring justice and accountability for all the killings and violence committed during the recent mass uprising.

“We want an impartial and internationally credible investigation into the massacre and subsequent due judicial processes. We will provide whatever support the UN investigators need.”

The chief adviser later pledged to hold a credible election and said, “We will hold a free, fair participatory election as soon as we can complete our mandate to carry out vital reforms in our election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces and media.”

Focusing on economic reform, he said: “We will undertake robust and far-reaching economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and sustained growth, with priority attached to good governance and combating corruption and mismanagement.”

While talking about the interim government’s foreign policy, Dr Yunus said, “Our government will nurture friendly relations with all countries in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding and shared interests.

He called upon the trade and investment partners to maintain their trust in Bangladesh and said: “We won’t tolerate any attempt to disrupt the global clothing supply chain in which we are a key player.”(UNI)