Secretary Lu’s visit, against these backgrounds, reiterated the message of the past year that the US would like to see a fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh and that it is concerned about the shrinking civic space.

UN human rights chief's visit to Dhaka revealed contrasting expectations on the part of the government and rights groups.

The European Union yesterday (May 20, 2022) stressed that a vibrant civil society is an important component of democracy, raised concerns on human rights situation in Bangladesh – in particular reports of alleged violation of rights – and emphasised the need to ensure accountability for such violations.

Our civil society members nowadays appear to be suffering from confusion and hesitancy.

Division of work among various institutions is an organisational imperative. However, the reality is that no institution in modern times is capable of discharging its assigned duties autonomously without the help and cooperation of a number of other institutions who have some interest in achieving common goals.

A strong civil society is simultaneously a precondition and outcome of a functioning and stable democracy. The United Nations recognises that development and democracy function best when civil society is permitted to flourish unhindered.

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam slams the civil society for “making student politics tough”.

It is high time for all of us to accept our own mistakes that led us to the present state of play. Rather than transferring blame onto others, all the stakeholders must talk among themselves first, and then reinvigorate from within. Once we have done that, we can then take the next step to put a common agenda together and place it before the citizens for national consideration.

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik, a civil society platform working for good governance, urges the election office to take necessary steps to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections to Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations