Bangladesh | Elections

PID A 12-member delegation led by former US Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Government is committed to upholding democracy in Bangladesh: Prime Minister

"We have struggled for democracy and achieved democracy. We are committed to uphold democracy," she said.

The Prime Minister made these remarks when a 12-member delegation of the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PEAM) paid a courtesy call on him at his official residence Ganabhaban.

After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim informed the journalists about this information. Sheikh Hasina said that her party is upholding the ideal democracy of Bangladesh Awami League and Awami League is fighting for democracy.

The Prime Minister briefed the delegation about the history of democracy in Bangladesh. She also said that after the brutal killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, the military rulers seized power through arms and formed political parties in Bangladesh.

The prime minister said she was barred from returning to the country from the US during the 2007-2008 army-backed caretaker government. She was threatened to be killed if she returned home. But she also mentioned that she ignored the death threats and returned to the country.

Sheikh Hasina said that the main goal of her government is to ensure the basic rights of people - food, clothing, shelter, health and education, as dreamed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He said, they have brought down the rate of extreme poverty to 5.6 percent.

Bonnie Glick, former deputy administrator of USAID, who led the delegation in the meeting, said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, amazing economic development has been achieved in Bangladesh.

She said they have spoken to all stakeholders, including diplomats, and their aim is to listen to all stakeholders.

Bonnie Glick said they do not represent the US government, they are here in their personal capacities. She also said that they want a peaceful transfer of power.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth said democracy has some inherent problems, and the problems even exist in the United States.