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17/12/2002 | Bangladesh/WOD: an Open Letter from Ahmed Ziauddin to the Transnational Radical Party

13-15 December 2002 Dear friends, Thank you for allowing me to share some of my thoughts while you are engaged in discussions on the future activities of Transnational Radical Party. Initially I planned to come up with a detail paper on this occasion, but in the last few days due to some health problems I was unable to work. Instead, I thought to write this open letter on two different issues; Bangladesh and campaign on democracy. Perhaps you know that I am coming from Bangladesh, that emerged out of ocean of bloods on 16 December 1971, and over three million deaths, as a secular democratic country. The movement of Bangladesh was against use of religion in state affairs, a practice perfected in Pakistan that Bangladesh was part of. For twenty-three years of Pakistani rule over Bangladesh, religion, and in this case Islam, was used to rule, dominate and discriminate. Bangalees, the inhabitants of Bangladesh, that formed Pakistan’s majority population, faced discrimination and exploitation, in politics, economics, in social and other aspects. Thus, de-linking religion and state, and to establish a secular society emanated out of bitter experiences of Bangalees, for mixing politics and Islam. Unfortunately, democracy could not take firm roots in Bangladesh, and the nation remained, over better part of its life, under military and quasi-military rules. Since 1990, following tenacious campaign for democracy, electoral democracy has been restored. But as we know, only election is not democracy. Democracy is a society based on rule of law and human rights, and that has been missing, particularly since October 2001, following the last round of general election that put a four-party coalition government in power including two Islamic parties; Jamaat-i-Islam, and an alliance of Islamic parties, Islamic Okkyo Jote (Islamic Unity). The minorities, mainly the Hindus, and the opposition activists became instant targets of the victorious coalition government. Scores of Hindus were attacked, killed; raped, tortured, burnt, houses looted, and displaced. And all happened under the very nose of the government, and with impunity. The Islamist coalition sent clear message to the minorities and the opposition of the things coming; and that is preciously what has happened since. According to an estimate of a human rights organization, based on limited access of information, in the first eleven months of this year, police and military have killed 89 persons, and injured 1026. In prison, 66 persons were killed, and members of security forces raped 34 women. For political reasons, 335 persons were killed while 2483 injured. Within the period, 2 journalists were killed and 231 injured. This is only part of the story, and reality is much more pervasive, cruel and brutal. The country received strings of international media attention on possible presence of Islamic terrorists; Far Eastern Economic Review, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Times, and host of other regional papers published investigative reports. The common threads of these reports were growing Islamic radicalization of the society. More recently, the government has been flouting legal and constitutional provision at an alarming rate, in particular, the way the military and police have arrested, detained and tortured people of different political opinions, disregarding countries legal system, including disobeying court’s orders. Top lawyers are suggesting that if corrective measures are not taken soon, there will remain nothing as rule of law. I remember how for violation of a single constitutional provision, Mr. Marco Pannella launched long non-violent movement, but what happens when violations of constitution become norm rather than an exception. The European Parliament last month thus adopted a unanimous resolution on human rights situation on Bangladesh, and expressed its serious concern. Instead of listening to international appeal, the government has since mounted a counter campaign to belittle the European Parliament. Radical MEPs are already involved in Parliament on this matter. As such, in view of this grave situation, I propose TRP to make a public statement in line with the Parliament’s resolution, on political and human rights situation in Bangladesh, and to urge the government to stay on the course of democracy by adhering to Warsaw Declaration that it subscribed in 2000, its constitution, and international law. Such a statement will reinforce European Parliament’s efforts, and increase pressure on the government. However, I am also sure that the government will take serious exception of such a statement, and will find it unacceptable. I know TRP has rich tradition to stand for law and human rights, and this, I believe, will be an important contribution and strengthen the hands of those who are struggling inside Bangladesh for a secular democratic society. In this process, I am ready to provide necessary information and assistance as required. On democracy, which is at TRP’s heart, I like to put few points before the seminar for consideration. I think TRP has largely made its position clear in its Position Paper presented at the seminar in Geneva on Interdependence between Democracy and Human rights last month. Since then, the Democracy Coalition Project has produced as a part of its strategic planning a draft paper on Community of Democracies Action Center (CDAC) to replace it. I failed to find much new element in this so-called CDAC concept and not much improvement on Democracy Coalition Project either, and for all practical purposes, to borrow an old phrase; it is old wine in new bottle. A detail comment, however, will not be appropriate here. What I see that TRP has rightly identified the cause of the problem, and the road ahead obviously is long and arduous, but then again, there is no better alternative than democracy, as lack of democracy is central to the root causes of most human rights violations and conflicts. What then would be the best strategy to campaign for democracy? TRP’s Tirana congress has produced a roadmap, and below, I shall try to enumerate few suggested steps. 1. To create momentum for the Community of Democracies to establish the World Organization of democracy (WDO), TRP must avail every opportunity to raise this issue at every possible forums, and one such place is the Commission on Human Rights, a platform that already has made important contributions. Work should start now to obtain supports from countries for a UNCHR resolution combining the process of Community of Democracies for a World Democracy Organization. A background analytical paper has to be produced along with a draft resolution to generate support. 2. At the same time, TRP should focus on another upcoming and very relevant event; the Fifth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies (CNRD) in June 2003 in Mongolia. The Mongolian government is marching ahead with this conference with the thyme; “good governance and civil society” that will see a Civil Society Forum gathering to precede the government conference. TRP should be take this opportunity in Mongolia to bring the two process; Conference of New or Restored Democracies, and Community of Democracies together, to create a broader force of democracy, and also to understand problems of countries in transition. TRP should take its campaign there for WDO. 3. In September 2003, TRP should aim, after gaining sufficient support and endorsement, of friendly governments to propose for a General Assembly resolution on Democracy, Community of Democracies and World Democracy Organization. The General assembly, which has been setting international norms on democracy for long, has the duty to develop appropriate international mechanism to follow the norms. TRP’s said Position Paper contains some suggestions, but there are other options too. 4. An intermediate step would be for TRP to raise demands for creation at UN of a High Commissioner for Democracy. UN system has no focal point on democracy. UN is merely talking about to develop integrated UN programs for democracy assistance, far short of what it actually should be doing. A High Commissioner for Democracy will alter the nature of entire discourse, and democracy will find high on the agenda. 5. TRP’s continuous engagement with Community of Democracies, and Democracy Coalition Project, and any of its derivatives should go on, essentially to win them over, and to impress TRP’s analysis of the road ahead. 6. Ways and means must be found for TRP to approach the major regional organizations, and inter-governmental organizations, and in this respect, a strategy has to be formulated to launch a campaign to circulate TRP’s analytical papers, and wherever feasible, establish direct contacts. 7. To facilitate such activities, TRP should coordinate with Community of Democracies, Democracy Coalition Project, and such other initiatives to establish a Focal Point, a Secretariat, as a prelude to this process. In addition, TRP itself should bring necessary infra-structures in place to mount democracy campaign, either by assigning any of its present organs to take the assignment or create a new one. 8. In other relevant and important UN events, international happenings, TRP should ensure its direct or indirect presence, to raise the issue of democracy, and its compliance. 9. TRP should open dialogue with its democracy partners; governments, inter-governmental organizations, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, experts, activists and individuals, and should identify principal players, and try to form cooperative and working alliances with these organizations. 10. To give the democracy campaign a push, and to garnish support, TRP should organize a major conference with government representatives and non-governmental organizations on the thyme of democracy compliance mechanism and its various options. This will assist TRP to measure existing support and challenges ahead. I am sorry that I have to stop here as again I am not feeling very good now, and also it’s already long enough. I am sure, even without my suggestions, TRP would have found its way, but I am honored and pleased to participate from afar. Comrades, wish you all the best in search of TRP’s path. With friendly regards, Ahmed Ziauddin

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