Sheikh Hasina's release is obviously a sign of new and dramatic developments in national politics. One factor that emerges clearly from the move is that the standoffishness, perhaps even hostility, which in these last many months characterised relations between the government and the political parties has now led to a breather for the nation in the political arena. There are clear new options on the table for everyone involved, an encouraging one being the Awami League's decision to join the dialogue initiated last month by the government. These give us grounds for optimism and indeed could trigger positive changes in the situation. Hasina's release also appears to have resolved the issue of how the government now means to deal with at least one major political party.
Since politics is always the art of the possible, it is fair to assume that concessions have come from both the AL and the government as a prelude to the release of the former prime minister. What those concessions or arrangements are in concrete terms is yet to be fathomed. But one fact that arises in light of the development is that there is now a plausible strategy before the army-backed government regarding a smooth, orderly transition to democratic governance following the promised general elections. The AL, it is fair to assume, will now participate in the elections. That will surely pave the way for the present dispensation to make a good exit for itself. But let it also be noted that such a strategy for a restoration of democracy will be considerably more substantive if efforts are now made to bring the BNP into the picture as well.
We reiterate our belief that democracy will gain new strength from Sheikh Hasina's freedom. But we would also like to sound a note of caution here: no attempts must be made to manipulate politics in any way, for the AL as well as for other political parties and forces. Politics flourishes when it comes unfettered and democracy thrives when the people remain the sovereign authority in the state. That said, it is also our hope that with Sheikh Hasina's release fresh new efforts will be made towards reforms within the parties, especially within the AL. Before her detention last year, Sheikh Hasina had herself initiated a reform process in the AL, a drive we hope she will now resume in earnest in the interest of accountability. Let a similar process be initiated in the BNP.
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Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm
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Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/news/daily_star/daily_star_MM.pdf
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MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/5_yrs_anniv/index.htm
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Earth_day2006/index.htm
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Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/
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MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm
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German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm
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Some FAQ's about Mukto-Mona:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/faq_mm.htm
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VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
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