Bangladesh News

The government is giving high priority to decisions regarding the possible release of former premier Khaleda Zia’s detained sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, on ‘humanitarian’ grounds.

“We are placing highest priority to the humanitarian consideration and legal processes attached to these cases,” Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said at a press briefing yesterday.

“We want to gain the trust of all parties to take this process forward,” he added.

“We are fully prepared to discuss Khaleda and her sons’ demands,” Zillur said after a dialogue with Unity for Political Reforms (UPR) at the Chief Adviser’s Office.

UPR, led by its convener ASM Rab, at the talks proposed a referendum to set up a Constitution Review Commission to make changes to the 1972 constitution to strengthen democratic mechanisms in the country.

“We have not held these talks with the government for the sake of any individual or party, but for the sake of the nation’s future,” Rab told reporters after the talks with the government.

The commerce adviser meanwhile said, “We need to create a climate of trust as fast as we can, and try to ensure that every stake holder’s demand is considered,” said Zillur.

The adviser said that invitation to both parties for talks still stands and added that the government wants to move forward on basis of a consensus with all political parties.

Zillur also dismissed doubts over whether Sheikh Hasina would return from her medical trip abroad, saying, “We are working on mutual trust, so there is no question of her not returning.”

He said that the government has always considered the health concerns of political detainees and it is “reflected in the decision” to temporarily release Hasina.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, during the talks with UPR, said that there needs to be a separation of power between the centralised government and a more powerful decentralised local government.

The UPR has proposed two-year term for a national unity government, balance of the powers of the prime minister and the president, and decentralisation as the cornerstone of future democracy.

UPR also demanded trial of war criminals and asked the government to investigate why they have not been tried for the last 37 years.

They also asked the government to initiate the qualitative changes to democracy, which UPR says, is also the demand of the ’silent majority’ of people.