Mushfiqul Fazal AnsareyBangladesh has been going through a profound political trial. For years, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina clung to power through suppression, electoral manipulation, and brutal crackdowns. According to a recent UN Human Rights report, her regime has been implicated in serious crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and systemic torture of political opponents and civil society activists. Innocent lives have been lost. Hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, opposition activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens were targeted—simply for demanding what should be universal: the right to vote, the right to speak, the right to live with dignity.
Most tragically, we cannot forget the July Uprising, where brave, young student protesters—many just entering adulthood—took to the streets with nothing but their voices and dreams. They were met with bullets, batons, and brutality. To those students who sacrificed their lives for fundamental rights and democratic justice—we pay our deepest tribute. Their courage shall never be forgotten. They are the moral compass of our time.
And as we look ahead, there is hope—a hope rooted in moral leadership and democratic renewal. We sincerely believe that Bangladesh can undergo a peaceful and just political transition under the guidance of a globally respected figure—Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. Under his stewardship, we hope Bangladesh will return to the path of constitutional order, inclusive governance, and a restoration of voting rights for every citizen.
Already, the interim government under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is working with utmost sincerity to bring the country back on track. In a bold and unprecedented move, it has formed eleven independent commissions—each tasked with ensuring accountability, reforming corrupt institutions, and laying the foundation for a transparent democratic framework. These bodies are investigating crimes, recovering assets looted by Hasina and her allies, and ensuring that those responsible for decades of oppression—including Sheikh Hasina herself and her inner circle—face justice in fair and independent courts.
The government is actively engaging with political stakeholders to foster national reconciliation. Just days ago, a significant and productive meeting took place in London between Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus and BNP leader Tarique Rahman, who leads the largest political party in Bangladesh. This constructive dialogue marks a turning point in our journey toward a free and fair election.
Moreover, the interim government has outlined an electoral roadmap, aiming to hold transparent and internationally monitored national elections by February 2026. It is not just a calendar date—it is a commitment to the people that never again will their votes be stolen or their voices silenced.
Bangladesh’s future cannot be built on fear, lies, or repression. It must be built on truth, transparency, and participation. A neutral, credible interim government, empowered by the people and protected by constitutional integrity, is no longer just a political option, it is a moral imperative.
To our diaspora community—you carry the soul of Bangladesh across oceans. Your voices matter. Your advocacy in Washington, in London, in Ottawa, and beyond will shape the world’s understanding of what is happening in our beloved homeland. Silence is not neutral. Silence is complicity.
To our international allies—our fight is not just political; it is existential. Bangladesh stands at the brink. Will we be ruled by fear, or led by freedom? Let us remember democracy is not just a system. It is a promise. A promise that power lies with the people. That accountability matters. That no one—no matter how entrenched—can stand above justice.
Let us walk forward together, inspired by the memory of those who gave their lives, committed to the living who still believe, and determined to build a Bangladesh worthy of its founding vision.
N.B. The article is an excerpt from the speech the author made at an event in Baltimore, USA recently.
