CA’s press secretary says the draft proclamation will be based on the dialogues
Shafiqul Alam
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Shafiqul Alam
The interim government will hold talks with the political parties soon and prepare the draft of the July uprising proclamation based on the outcome of the dialogues, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.
He, however, did not give any dates for the talks.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. About whether the proclamation would be announced by January 15, as per the deadline set by the Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, he said they will announce it “soon”.
The two platforms on December 30 said they would announce the July mass uprising proclamation the next day.
Initially, the CA Press Wing had said the government had no involvement in the student leaders’ proclamation event.
However, that very night it said it would take initiative to prepare the proclamation based on national consensus.
Following that, the student leaders after a late-night meeting announced a “March for Unity” programme in support of the interim government’s initiative.
WORKING TO BRING HASINA BACK
Shafiqul also said the interim government is working relentlessly to extradite fallen autocrat Shiekh Hasina from India.
“It’s the government’s top priority. She had been involved in enforced disappearance, killings, kleptocracy, and siphoned off billions of public money. She must face trial,” he said, adding that nobody in the world “wants to give space to a killer”.
“Many in the Indian media didn’t know the horrors of Hasina. Many have started writing [about it] recently. When the whole world will know, the pressure will mount. We’ll do our best to bring her back. If not, those who will come to power will do so later as it is a generational issue…. It’s the nation’s desire. We’re very hopeful.”
Shafiqul further said they have not yet heard anything from the Indian side regarding Hasina’s extradition request through the note verbale by Bangladesh. “But the government’s efforts are still underway to bring her back.”
He also said the government is investigating reports of Awami League leaders fleeing after August 5, and assured that the probe will be conducted by honest officials.
“Investigations led by officials from the previous Awami League government may not yield good results.”
Regarding criticism of the recently-approved draft of the Cyber Protection Ordinance-2024 by Transparency International Bangladesh, the press secretary said, “We welcome any kind of the criticism and take them positively. Asif Nazrul will talk speak on this issue soon.”
Shafiqul noted that the commission investigating enforced disappearances is doing good work.
He mentioned plans to arrange visits for journalists to a few of the “Aynaghors (detention centers)” to showcase the horrific methods used for disappearances.
Highlighting incidents like irregularities in three previous elections, the Shapla Chattar crackdown, and money laundering cases during Hasina’s rule, Shafiqul said that each issue is being addressed.
He added that the Police Bureau of Investigation is working hard to expedite the investigation of the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
Responding a query, Shafiqul said state media exists in every country, and it plays an important role.
“BTV [Bangladesh Television] and BSS [Bangladesh Sangbad Shangstha] have been granted independence and are free to exercise press freedom according to their roles. Over the past five months, media in the country has enjoyed unprecedented freedom.”
Asked whether BSS will report on the corruption during the AL regime, he said, “We don’t interfere in their management. We hope they’ll design their programmes reflecting the spirit of the July uprising.”
Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumder said many European countries have initiated relocating their visa centres from Delhi to Dhaka, or another neighbouring country, upon the request of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
“Bulgaria has already announced transferring its visa centre for Bangladeshis to Indonesia and Vietnam. Romania has announced the issuance of visas from the embassies in Vietnam and Thailand. Kazakhstan also said it will issue visas to Bangladeshi students from Bangkok.”