IPU conference was an opportunity to discuss crisis of parliamentary democracy
We must say this event must make significant contribution to strengthen our democracy and parliamentary system now facing serious troubles in all fronts.
Protection of weak and small nations from interference in their internal affairs and physical intervention by big powers dominated discussion in first two days as participants focused attention to set up a mechanism for protection of weaker nations. The war in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine showed how defenseless weaker nations are calling for collective efforts to their safety.
. But discussion on the floor was not that much concentrating on the problems that parliamentary democracy is facing in many participating countries.
Some speakers from Bangladesh were too anxious not to discuss functioning of democracy in the country. The namesake opposition member in Parliament Kazi Feroze Rashid told the conference that the government has thwarted conspiracy of the opposition parties to destroy democracy and it goes to government credit that it was able to hold a free and fair election (in 2014) to elect the present government.
The question was not raised how there can be a working parliament in the absence of opposition. In any democracy elected opposition is fundamental to democracy. But not in our parliament. Only government exists in the parliament.
Some of the speakers have however rightly pointed out that mere election does not suggest democracy exists. But our’s is only parliamentary system where the sitting ministers do not resign or members of the parliament do not vacate their seats for the national elections.
Democratic election requires inclusive election to be participated by all political parties to make it acceptable by the people. The absence of an inclusive election keeping the major opposition away from election is seriously undermining our democratic process.
Our Parliament Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury also highlighted the inclusive nature of democracy. But ignored to mention that she is presiding over the parliament where there is no room for the opposition. Those who are mockery of democracy, they are creating the opportunity for autocracy to come.
Indian representative said over 35 political parties are represented in the Indian Parliament and because India has the parliamentary system it is a country still united. Laying emphasis on free media for protection of democracy and human rights, Kenyan representative said free press does not allow covering up anything and that is why democracy works.
South Korean representative said they have been able to reach democracy to the grassroots and his comment bears out the truth from the fact that the country only recently impeached the former President Park Geun-hye for abuse of power.
Mr B Tishirelast President of the Standing Committee on Human Rights issues asked the member states to strengthen efforts to protect democracy and human rights now facing challenges in developing nations.
We believe, elaborate discussions on how to ensure effective and positive functioning of democracy would have done better for countries where democracy merely remains by name and down sliding. If fighting terrorism means denying democracy then we will have state terrorism instead of ending terrorism.
On that count, there was a unique opportunity for our political leadership for drawing valuable lessons for working of democracy while identifying and repairing its existing weaknesses in running the country.
Most importantly, a key topic of the conference could have been – why should democratically elected political leaders should use terrorism to destroy democracy.
Nevertheless, today being the concluding day of the IPU conference, we hope our international parliamentarian should emphasise not to use terrorism for destroying democracy helping to state terrorism to impose itself on the people.
