I cordially welcome you and all to this National Convention on Crimes Against Humanity.

At this critical juncture of the nation I have appeared before you with a heavy heart. We are all shocked and pained since we are to attend a convention on Crimes against Humanity in the month of February mingled with the memory of the great Language Movement after 31 years on independence. Let’s first of all pay our profound homage to the martyrs of the great Language Movement on completion of its 50 th anniversary.

Humanity is being dashed to the ground and human rights trampled across the country centering the election to the eight Parliament. It can not be imagined where and when this black episode will end. Against this back drop, the Crimes against Humanity 2002 Convention has been Organized by civil society of the country.

At all national crises in the past and in special circumstances, intellectuals-academics-poets-literateurs-lawyers-journalists-doctors-engineers along with representatives of all classes and professions who are considered conscience of the nation made their significant contribution in all movements and struggles. Upholding that tradition you have come forward today. “Crimes against Humanity” convention is being held. Since you have taken the initiative I congratulate you all and convey my greetings.

In undeveloped countries human rights are not protected properly. Perhaps some say the question of preserving human rights is very insignificant in a country where a large number of people can not have two meals a day. But I don’t think so. If seen in a greater perspective human rights also mean an assurance of rights to food, clothing, shelter, treatment and education. Even in an impoverished situation our society is aware of preserving human dignity. In our tradition our noncommunal out look and gesture imbibed with the spirit of the Liberation War is matter of great pride. In restoring voting rights, our long drawn struggle is our pride. In the Proclamation of Independence it is enshrined that it is our sacred duty to ensure equality of men, human dignity and social justice. We are committed to this declaration.

It is the people’s fundamental right their franchise to elect a government of their choice. The objective of an election is to ensure of the people to elect their representatives to form the government.

The Article 7 of the constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh clearly states that all powers of the republic are vested in the people and that power can be exercised by the authorities under Constitution on behalf of the people.

With the assassination of father of the nation Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975 the change of state power began through the use of guns. Election was turned into a farce. For that reason we made arrangement to hold election under a non-party neutral caretaker government. Our sole objective was that people could vote freely and lead their lives peacefully.

Election was held on October 1, 2001 but what happened before and after the election? Even what we saw on the election day?

Why the people’s right was snatched away is such a manner? Why people had to be victimized? These matters need an in-depth analysis.

In a pluralistic democracy, different political parties will present their respective ideology, objective and principle to the people. People will build up their own organization and enjoy the right to express their free opinions. They will vote for the parties according to their choice, this is democracy.

Unfortunately people of Bangladesh have become victims of torture and repression for the offence of casting votes on October 1, 2001. Particularly, the victims were the leaders-workers, voters and supporters of Awami League and general people. The minority comminutes were subjected to brutal torture.

Any man will shiver at the dimension of this brutality. It is beyond imagination that people will have to face torture and flee their houses on charge of casting votes according to their free will.

After winning the election of June 12, 1996 Awami League did never go for such revenge. After August 15, 1975 not many people did turn up at polling stations to cast their votes because they knew that there was no need of vote for election. Because vote would take place as usual and those who are made to be elected would elected under a premeditated plan. Therefore, there was no efficacy of casting votes.

I have toured throughout the country to make the people aware of their constitutional rights that “ I will cast my vote according to my choice.” People are the owners the country of the country. It is their fundamental right to vote and establish their just rights. Since 1980 I had traveled villages after villages and towns after towns to inspire people to the struggle for establishment of democracy.

BNP staying in power staged an election on February 15, 1996 but all political parties and people boycotted that election. People did not participate in the election, though it was announced that the election was held consequently people from of all walks of life revolted against the mock election and launched movement to cancel the farcical polls. “ Janatar Manch” (People’s Podium) was erected spontaneously. A storm of protest spread throughout the country and non-cooperation movement started. The BNP government tried to stop the movement by killing 140 people. But ultimately people won and Begum Khaleda Zia was forced to step down on March 30, 1996 paving the way for the downfall of the BNP regime.

Then election was held under a non-party caretaker government. People cast their votes spontaneously. But during that election too I heard some words from BNP leaders and workers that “it does not matter to relinquish power. We have worked out such a mechanism that BNP will ultimately win.”

But what was that mechanism? The special mechanism of rigging must be unearthing to protect democracy. The role of caretaker government in 1996 was absolutely neutral and fair. The Election Commission too also performed it function with utmost neutrality. As result no untoward incident could take place before and after the election. Obviously people cast their votes happily. The concept of election of our People virtually centered on the election of June 12, 1996.

But the role of caretaker government in 2001 came under question within an hour of taking oath by the Chief Advisor. People of the country got stunned. Soon after the swearing-in the Chief Advisor violated Article 58 of the Constitution.

It appeared that the steps he took one after another was designed to victimize a particular party, that is Awami League. The caretaker government considered Awami League as its opponent since it had been in the immediate past government and consequently, could not hold its neutrality.

And terrorists of the BNP-Jamaat alliance pounced with vengeance on Awami League Leaders and workers. Though unfortunate but true that the caretaker government took open stand against some prospective candidates of Awami League, that cast impact on the election, voters became scared and doubtful. The caretaker government failed to maintain failed its neutral character, nearly 900 people was killed during 87 days of its rule.

Since I have trust in democracy I participated despite all odds and obstacles. But it is painful that since after election the way torture and repression was launched across the country can not be expressed in words. The torture was launched so people cannot raise their protest against the massive rigging and fraud in the election. The repression that began during the time of caretaker government started intensifying after the election.

The BNP-Jamaat terrorists started occupying forcibly everything starting from MP hostel to Bus and Launch terminal and resorted to massive extortion. Attacks on police stations and courts and snatching away accused became the order of the day.

Nine-years old Mollika of Muktapukur, Ragpur, 14 year-old Johora of Mymensingh, 16 year-old Purnima of Sirajganj, pregnant Sujata and Sabitri along with thousands others were raped and forced them to lead an inhuman life.

An educationist of Chittagong Principal Gopal Krishna Muhuri or College student Simi proved by sacrificing their lives that humanity today is so helpless to crimes.

Today members of the minority communities and innumerable leaders and workers of Awami League are turned homeless as BNP-Jamaat terrorists looted and ransacked their houses, shops and business establishments. They joined the orgy by slaughtering looted cattle, destroyed poultry farms by exploding bombs. looted ripe paddy from fields, damaged vegetable and fruit garden. Hindus were beaten and evicted and their houses were occupied, Temples, Churches and Pagodas were destroyed.

After eviction, their lands were dogged in ponds overnight planted sapling of banana trees to show that there was not any human habitation. The hoodlums dragged out the Chhatra league students from their examination halls and theirs answer scripts were torn apart. Such incidents happened in different education institutions including Dhaka Medical College, Examinees were not being allowed to sit for their examinations. Girls being scared of assault was forced to stop going to their schools. Acid was hurled at Rahima and Champa who were my election agents. Many boys were also burned with acid.

Daughters were subjected to gang rape in front of mothers, a baby was thrown to the ground her mother’s lap and then she was raped. The women even could protected them by hiding in the paddy field. Nails from hand and legs were uprooted: bones of waits crushed by hammer. Farooq was elected VP of Barisal College. He was beaten brutally by hammer and iron rod was pierced through his leg to thigh. He died, as he could not sustain this inhuman torture. All the ten fingers of Kamrul were cut off one after another. Jalkathi Union Awami League leader Ambia Begum was beaten to death by torturing all over her body hammer and rod. Thousands of such barbaric incidents occurred every where.

The sky of Bangladesh is overcast with wailing of father and mother who lost their children, son who lost his father, husband who lost his wife who lost her husband.

Why the women repression, rape, Killing and looting? Why this taking of revenge? The injured are not getting treatment at hospitals. Why Doctors were intimidated? Why this cruelty of one man against another? What is its remedy? I have only one question to the participants of this Convention-How to get rid of crimes against humanity?

Journalist outside Dhaka only witnessed the brutality but could not dare to collect and send stories to their newspaper. Because those are sending news are being tortured.

Does this repression continue only to deny the right to express one’s political opinion? Had the BNP-Jamaat alliance come to power through people’s genuine vote, they would not have restored to such inhuman torture. The know quite well how they have come to power. That is why they are out to destroy the opposition through repression.

Will everybody remain as silent spectators at the disgraced humanity?

Bangladesh Awami League believes in secularism. It believes that every one will enjoy equal right to perform their respective religion. Our holy Quran also contains the same instruction. For this being a Muslim I have to abide by the dictates of holy Quran. Islam is a religion of peace and humanity. The true believers of Islam do not support repression on men and terrorists activities.

It is unfortunate that the BNP-Jamaat alliance is pursuing such a politics of fanaticism and terrorism today that undermines the image of the country.

Human rights are being widely violated all over the country. People are suffering from utter insecurity. Thousands of helpless people are being subjected to political revenge. Officials and employees of the government and semi-government offices are being sacked. Hundreds of officers of civil administration, police and defense forces are being terminated.

Corruption has been spreading alarmingly. The administration is almost paralyzed because of corruption, nepotism and politicization. The economy is in shambles. People are perplexed at the rising prices of essentials. We can not sit idle to see such an insult on humanity.

We the people of Bangladesh are peace loving by nature. Peace and stability is essential pre-requisite for socio-economic development of any nation, but today a dangerous situation prevails in the country. And this situation has been created by the ruling party, the consequence of which will be very terrible.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

None can stay outside the rule of law accountability. Those who believe in and harbor politics of killing and repression should not have room in any political party. In this regard I like a positive move and initiate dialogue all Political parties, social and cultural forces.

Our aim is to protect people’s fundamental rights, resist violation of human rights and ensure peace and security. This Convention has been organized to protect the people from repression and suppression.

I sincerely thank the people who made untiring efforts round-the-clock for organizing this convention. Today many repressed people are here, but thousands could not come form various parts of the country. I express my solidarity with all of them.

I sincerely congratulate the foreign dignitaries who traveled all the way to participate in the Convention. Those who are true lovers of humanity can never support the crimes against humanity. Sinners are more hated than sins-let these dirty elements be eliminated from society. Let the people live in peace and harmony, that is all we always stand for.

Let the world humanity raise their voice for tortured people of my country, for the sake of humanity, preservation of human rights and peace and security. And that’s my great expectation.

I like to conclude my speech with the quotation made by great legendary figure of the contemporary world Nelson Mandela, after he won the struggle for democracy and humanity in Africa: “Never, never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another .... the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign.”

Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu
Long Live Bangladesh 
Khoda Hafez.