Polls need to be fair, transparent: Canadian envoy

She says violence could jeopardise economic achievements of Bangladesh

Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden speaks during a function arranged by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club on Sunday. Photo: Banglar Chokh

Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden on Sunday said Canada is looking forward to a solution within the framework of the constitution to hold a free, fair, transparent and inclusive election free from violence in Bangladesh, but it needs a political will.
“I’m going to be optimistic there’ll be a resolution. The resolution is possible within the framework of the constitution…the message we’re sending is that the election needs to be free, fair, transparent and inclusive and free from violence,” Cruden said.
She was speaking at a function – DCAB Talks – at the National Press Club.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) arranged the programme. President and General Secretary of the DCAB Imran Alam and Bashir Ahmed were present.
The envoy said Bangladesh can make amendments to the constitution in terms of the rules of law if there is a political will. “We’ve to do things within the framework of the rules of law.”
Asked whether Canada has any suggestion, she said, “My suggestion would be as per UN recommendations…You need to have a small negotiating team. But you need political will to determine the best mechanism to hold the election.”
Cruden said it is not for her as a member of the international community to dictate how this election should be held. “But technical support is possible.”
Responding to a question on participation of all parties, she said, “The message we’re sending to BNP that you (BNP) should participate. The message we’re sending to Awami League is that we need to find the mechanism that allows all to participate and gives people comfort about the independence of the polls.”
The government of Canada looks forward for peaceful political engagement amongst the government and the opposition parties, and Canada asks them to publicly reject the use of political violence.
“Canada has called on them to engage one another meaningfully and constructively to address ongoing political issues and help create an environment free of political unrest and violence,” the envoy said.
The Canadian high commissioner said the upcoming national election represents a critical moment in Bangladesh’s history. “It’s an opportunity to reset the country on a path towards sustainable democracy.”
She laid emphasis on a fully democratic society, a functional parliament, vibrant civil society, freedom of speech and independent functioning institutions saying elections are only one part of the democratic process.
Cruden also expressed satisfaction over the just-held elections to the four city corporations that held peacefully, and hoped that the trend will continue in the next national election.
The envoy said Canada remains concerned about recent unrest and violence and hartals in Bangladesh, including attacks on religious minorities. “Combination of these could jeopardise Bangladesh’s economic and social development (that has been made).”
“We’re saddened when we hear reports of people killed or injured during protests across Bangladesh. Engaging in peaceful protests is fundamental to democracy. However, we believe violence has no place in the democratic process.”
Responding to another question, Cruden said buyers are getting nervous because of the hartals and buyers became extremely nervous after the Rana Plaza tragedy.
“There’s enormous pressure from Canadian consumers to stop buying from Bangladesh. There has been very clear message sent by some segments of consumers,” she said.
Cruden said the robust GDP growth based in large part on the RMG sector is being threatened and there are serious challenges.
“The eyes of the world are on Bangladesh…many of us are very concerned that the very impressive gains Bangladesh has made in social and economic development could be threatened by the recent Rana Plaza tragedy and the current political unrest.”
On trade issue, she said Canada-Bangladesh trade has grown dramatically in the last three-four years. “The value of bilateral merchandise trade has been more than doubled from US$ 628 million in 2006 to US$ 1.6 billion in 2012 and it is growing.
“The trade imbalance is in Bangladesh’s favour and is something I’m trying to balance out.”
On involvement of religious forces in the country’s politics, she said Bangladesh is built on some principles, and secularism is one of them. “Bangladesh continues to highlight and maintain that principle. The engagement of religious forces…the people of Bangladesh will determine the future of the country.”
Asked Canada’s stance over bringing back Bangabandhu’s killer, Cruden did not want to make comment on individual’s case for privacy.
About Padma graft issue, she said there is an active investigation into the corruption allegation. “It’s an ongoing case. I can’t comment because of the privacy issue. In Canada, investigation process is quite kept separate from the diplomatic process. I’m not involved in that and I can’t comment.”
She also said Canada’s relation with Bangladesh is extremely broad in the areas of development cooperation, commercial growth, cooperation in peacekeeping and support to democratic institutions.