C'wealth countries will stand by Bangladesh: Asst sec general
The Commonwealth is committed to working with the interim government to build an inclusive, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh, said Professor Luis Gabriel Franceschi
Commonwealth Assistant Secretary General Professor Luis Gabriel Franceschi today (18 November) said Commonwealth countries would stand by Bangladesh as he called on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam at the latter's ministry office.
At the meeting, Nahid Islam mentioned that the interim government has received support from all over the world, which is still pouring in.
He also clarified that the current interim government is not a caretaker government, rather it's a revolutionary one, saying "Therefore, its sole responsibility is not just to hold elections."
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The adviser, however, said that various commissions have already been formed for institutional reforms, and elections will be held after these reforms are completed.
Mentioning that the judicial process for the mass killing during the July-August uprising is ongoing, he said the government requires assistance from the Commonwealth to ensure an impartial trial.
He also sought the support of Commonwealth nations in building a new Bangladesh.
Professor Luis Franceschi praised the current government's efforts towards democratic reforms and assured that the Commonwealth would support the ongoing reform initiatives, including electoral process reforms, in every possible way.
He stated the Commonwealth is committed to working with the interim government to build an inclusive, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
"Commonwealth is always with Bangladesh, and it is keen to work with the country in areas such as education, information technology, media, cyber security, and artificial intelligence," added Franceschi.
Nahid Islam reiterated that the interim government is working for the country's transition from an autocratic or non-democratic regime to a democratic one.
He stressed the importance of support from the Commonwealth countries in this regard, saying the interim government is ready to take any action that serves the national interest.
Posts and telecommunications division secretary Dr Md Mushfiqur Rahman, acting ICT division secretary Dr Muhammad Mehedi Hasan, Commonwealth advisor and head of Asia Dr Dinusha Nihara, along with other senior officials, were present at the meeting.
