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End poverty, injustice to root out terrorism

Hasina tells roundtable in Rome

UNB, Dhaka
Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for an end to poverty and injustice that provide for a fertile breeding ground for terrorism and fanaticism.
"Terrorism and violation of human rights can have no place in our society," she told an international roundtable on "The Promotion of Democracy and the Rule of Law" in Rome, the capital of Italy.
Marcello Pera, President of the Italian Senate, Sheik El Mehbi, former Prime Minister of Sudan, and Emma Bonino, MP and former European Commissioner, were the other dignitaries who spoke at the roundtable jointly organised by the Italian Foreign Ministry and "No
Peace Without Justice" with patronisation of Italian Senate.
Hasina who was a keynote speaker at the roundtable said the present world faces the twin challenges of fighting terrorism and making the world a better place for all its citizens.
Speaking about the responsibility of the developed world in its fight against terrorism, she said, "In the global village of today, terror can be exported all too easily and hence the developed world can hardly afford to look away from the reality that haunts the other half."
Hasina said, "If the benefits of democracy do not reach people, it can lead to disillusionment and loss of hope. If hope dies, there is nothing left as it is indeed the last to
die."
The former prime minister called for halting the widening gap of wealth and resources between the two halves and for ensuring human development in the developing world through appropriate transfer of resources from the developed world.
Referring to denial of democracy and violation of human rights in different countries, Hasina endorsed the idea of an effective and global organisation that will not only set benchmarks and norms for democracy and rule of law but also have a "compliance mechanism." "When a population is subjected to repression and suffers, and the government of the day is unable or unwilling to extend protection, the principle of non-intervention should give way to the international community's responsibility to act and protect within multilateralsettings," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh's experience over the past two years amply demonstrated lack of good governance that a dysfunctional parliament, and for that matter democracy, yields.
Hasina alleged that despite the constitutional guarantee of basic rights and freedom, crimes are committed with impunity and even the media is not spared.
"In the absence of transparency and accountability, the nexus between crime and politics is assuming a dangerous institutional character," she observed.
The former prime minister also alleged that corruption, extra-judicial killings and custodial deaths are now common in Bangladesh while the common man's access to justice is mostly denied.
Referring to the election process, the AL chief said it must be free, transparent and provide full opportunity for mass participation. "It must be above controversy so that the government can govern with confidence, courage and full legitimacy," she said.
"Equally, democracy must not be limited to its electoral aspect only," she added.
Hasina said although there are a large number of entities and bodies to protect, ensure and promote human rights, freedom, rule of law and democracy, the question is how effectively these organisations practise these values.
"Through dialogue, interaction
and sharing of experiences, we can consolidate and promote democratic institutions at home, and regionally and globally," she said.
The objective, she said, must be to bring every country and every citizen of the planet within the folds of democracy as societies with a democratic culture perform better than those lacking in it.
"We advocate globalisation of democracy and rule of law, such that the world, in due course, is transformed into a community of democracies," Hasina said.
Citing her experience, she said the struggle to achieve democracy and establish rule of law is a long and difficult one.
Hasina said,".. .but for the sake of future generations, we have the opportunity to take concerted action and commit ourselves towards a future of peace and well being for the child of today and the one to be born tomorrow."