Webinar on The Future of Liberal Democracy in Bangladesh after the COVID-19 Pandemic

29 May 2021
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Press Release

When we talk about liberal democracy and its limitations in Bangladesh, it is also necessary to point out the contemporary achievement of our country said in a webinar Md. Nurul Islam Shujan, MP, Minister, Ministry of Railway. The webinar was organized by Centre for Governance Studies on 29th May, 2021 under the title of, “The Future of Liberal Democracy in Bangladesh after the Covid-19 pandemic.” It was moderated by Prof. Shahab Enam Khan, Dept. of International Relation, Jahangirnagar University.

As the opening speaker Mr. Felix Kolbitz, Resident Representative, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh, said, the rule of majority and rights or majority is a key principle in liberal democracy. Prof. Shantanu Majumder, Department of Political Science, University of Dhaka, the keynote speaker of the webinar who also presented a paper talked about the issue of self-censorship and the present crisis of liberal democracy in Bangladesh with its historical background. He also showed the last two national elections in Bangladesh failed to obtain appreciation of home and abroad where civil society couldn’t play their effective role which might lead to change.  

The other panelist of the webinar were Dr. Syed Anwar Hossain, Bangabandhu Chair, Bangladesh University of Professionals; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Chief Executive , BELA; Nurul Kabir, Editor, New Age; and Dr. Nazneen Ahmed, Senior Research Fellow, BIDS. Md. Nurul Islam Sujan MP, Minister, Ministry of Railways joined as chief guest and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Former Minister, Member, National Standing Committee, BNP joined as special guest on the Webinar.

Professor Anwar in his speech said we have democracy in Bangladesh which is absolutely dysfunctional. He also criticized the role of civil society where said there is literally no civil society in Bangladesh, what we see is only political society. “Taxation without representation”- this is what is going on in Bangladesh, he added. In the webinar, both Nurul Kabir and Nazneen Ahmed talked about the immense inequality between poor and rich in the country despite the GDP growth. On that note, Syeda Rizwana criticized the repressive and restrictive laws enacted by the government party. She also suggested the proper implication of ‘Referendum’, which was included as a provision in Bangladesh constitution.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Chowdhury, defended the accusation of entrance of military personnel in the political process where he said there are many historical examples in the world where the military leaders contributed more than the political leader who came through a proper political process. He said, in liberal democracy people are supposed to be at the centre of power and electoral democracy is the bedrock of parliamentary democracy but unfortunately both are absent for the last few years under this government.

On the other hand, the Railway minister Nurul Islam Shujan MP defended the stance of government under current circumstances and said the government under the leadership of MP Sheikh Hasina has built as a self-reliant state through its remarkable achievement in economic sector. Later on, he criticized the role of opposition and said it should not be forgotten that, to establish liberal democracy an accountable opposition is needed who has many roles to play.     

Apart from this, there were other people who joined the webinar; Dr. Amena Mohsin, professor department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, Dr Muhammad Abdul Mazid, Former Chairmen of NBR, Former state minister of foreign affairs, Abul Hasan Chowdhury and many others. Amena Mohsin in her short speech emphasized on empowering individuals through education, health system and other informal sectors. Dr Abdul Mazid suggested strengthening the government institutions like NBR, Public Service Commission and Election commission which is a major requirement in liberal democracy.

Prof. Shahab Enam Khan, Department of International Relations, Jahangirnagar University moderated the webinar.

 Facebook link: https://fb.watch/5NSy_4Nsdf/

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4U7vuBqrW8 


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