Citizen Initiative strongly condemns the incident of harassment perpetrated against Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, Secretary General of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), during his election campaign yesterday in Babuganj, Barishal. According to reports published in various media outlets, a group of individuals affiliated with the BNP and its allied organizations disrupted his public outreach program, harassed him, and ultimately forced him to leave the area for his own safety. Such illegal and undemocratic conduct against leaders of another political party is completely unacceptable both morally and legally. An attack on the Secretary General of a political party constitutes a direct threat to the prospect of a peaceful and credible election scheduled to be held in February.
At the same time, this incident stands in direct contradiction to the mass uprising of July and its democratic aspirations. That uprising demanded political inclusion, the protection of citizens’ rights, and the freedom for all political forces to express their views, organize, and campaign without fear or intimidation.
Citizen Initiative firmly believes that calls for violence, intimidation, or coercion against other political parties can never be the language of democratic politics. Regardless of party affiliation, every candidate must be ensured the full opportunity to reach voters, present their programs, and participate in open and fair political competition. We call upon the law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and impartial investigation, identify those responsible, and bring them under the purview of the law to ensure strict accountability.
Citizen Initiative urges all political parties to exercise restraint over their activists, uphold democratic values, and protect the dignity of political participation. Democracy can never flourish where fear prevails. If we truly wish to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs of July and build a just political future for Bangladesh, then peaceful competition, mutual respect, and civic responsibility must be our guiding principles.
Sincerely,
Taib Ahmed
Secretary
Citizen Initiative
PhD Candidate and
Instructor, Colorado State University
Dr. Hasan Mahmud
Chairman
Citizen Initiative
Assistant Professor
Northwestern University, Qatar