Political greed tears apart fabric of the nation

Participants at a seminar entitled 'Inter-religious cooperation in peace making' held at a city hotel yesterday. From left are Stefan Frowein, Paul Tschang In-Nim, Pietro Ballero, Lt Gen (retd) Nooruddin Khan and Renata Dessallien. PHOTO: STAR

She also emphasised the need to minimise disenfranchisement and multiple voting by the same persons and to establish a climate of peace and security, free from intimidation and coercion, before, during and after the election.

The UN resident coordinator was speaking at a seminar entitled 'Inter-religious cooperation in peace making' at a city hotel.

Criticising the politicians, Dessallien said, "Political greed and power hungry politicians are tearing apart the fabric of the nation. Many different actors are seeking ways to remedy the situation, but so far the solution still eludes us."

Today politics in Bangladesh has overshadowed the precious national qualities -- unity, oneness and solidarity -- and divided not only the politicians, but also the administration, schools and universities, professional organisations, the media and other civil society groups, she said.

She urged the political leadership to rise above their differences and to abandon inter-party hostility, political violence and coercion and behind-the-scene manipulation of the democratic process.

Diplomats, politicians and religious scholars attended the seminar jointly organised by the Embassy of Italy and the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW).

The speakers said that practising the true essence of all religions is one of the best ways to establish peace at this time when the country is going through political turmoil.

Ambassador Stefan Frowein, head of the Delegation of the European Commission, said a free and fair election is one which is rooted in respect for key rights such as the freedom of speech and assembly and the secret exercise of franchise.

"It is also one where political competition takes place on a reasonably level-playing field, meaning, amongst other things, that the institutions and administration governing elections should be rigorously impartial and that candidates and parties should have equal access to state resources and to media coverage," he said.

Italian Ambassador Pietro Ballero said peaceful coexistence among different religious groups is not enough; there should be love within. People should find ways to demonstrate love towards each other, he added.

Presenting a keynote paper, Rizwana Yusuf, director of the Institute, said, "All religious communities, particularly their leaders, should make a collective effort to unite the entire world in our common shared values of peace, compassion, justice and harmony."

Ambassador of the Holy See Paul Tschang In-Num, first secretary of Pakistan High Commission Momina Bandey, former minister Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Head of Arabic department of Dhaka University Dr Abdul Mannan and Institute President Lt Gen (retd) M Nooruddin Khan also spoke.