Speaker Hafiz warns against harassment over political ideology

Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has emphasised the need for a system to ensure that people are not harassed because of their political ideology.

After a meeting at Bhola Circuit House on Saturday afternoon, he said: "The main task of a political party is to develop the economy.

“The current government has already taken that initiative. We hope that good governance will be established in Bangladesh regardless of party affiliation."

Hafiz, who was elected the Bhola-3 MP in the general election, alleged that Bangladesh did not witness democracy for 20 years.

Stating that the democratic system is the only way to ensure development in the modern world, he said: “We’re very lucky that the people of our country are democratic and politically aware. They do not accept any dictator.

“Braving oppression, enforced disappearances, murders and tortures, the people took to the streets and restored democracy, which is a matter of great pride for us,” he maintained.

Describing human rights violations as an “everyday affair” globally and highlighting the 2024 protests, Hafiz said: “The people of Bangladesh established human rights through the movement [July Uprising].

“Now, we are free from enforced disappearances, murders, and torture that our countrymen have endured for long."