Bangladesh - Essay

Bangladesh in Transition Emily Drew Introduction On February 3, 2001, half a million Bangladeshi citizens gathered in Dhaka to participate in a social movement that demonstrated against human rights abuses, economic injustice, and political corruption. At “The Peoples’ Grand Rally,” the United Citizen’s Movement (UCM) presented a 10-point declaration that demanded “strengthening democracy, ensuring good governance and free election, fighting communalism and corruption, empowering women, …and resisting the enemies of independence.”i The rally also spoke out against corrupt state-business relations. “True [economic] development is not possible without fair politics,” said Dr. Qazi Faruque Ahmed, the Secretary General of UCM.ii He derided those opposed to liberal democracy, especially those in favor of military rule, and stressed that they “must be resisted in every ward, village, and town of the country.”iii Changes in local political culture, he noted, would be imperative in developing citizens’ political expectations for reforming national politics. The rally embodied free speech and the right to assemble. Speakers recognized the importance of protecting human rights, and practicing free and fair elections and economics. In 2001, Bangladesh seemed to be moving toward democratic consolidation, as a democratic political culture spread along with economic reforms and increased bureaucratic transparency. Organizations like the United Citizen’s Movement were gaining influence and membership; foreign direct investment increased; and women became more involved with grassroots organizations, and continued to gain financial independence through Bangladesh’s micro-loan programs. By 2002, however, Freedom House declared Bangladesh “Not Free” for the first time since 1975-1976.iv Largely due to press harassment, increased human rights violations, and loss of transparency, this downgrade proves that Bangladesh is not able to maintain its democratic structure and ideas in order