Democracy in Bangladesh on solid ground: Hasina

Democracy in Bangladesh now stands on a solid foundation, having been practiced for the last two decades, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.

"The democracy of the country resumed its journey after 21 long years of the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. After practicing it in the last two decades, it now stands on a solid ground," she said.

She made the remarks when a 37-member delegation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association called on her in her official Gono Bhaban residence.

The delegation -- led by Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, chairperson of the CPA executive committee and speaker of the Bangladesh parliament -- comprised 37 MPs from 27 parliaments from different countries under nine commonwealth zones.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri briefed reporters after the meeting.

Referring to the 26th Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar "Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy" being held in Dhaka, Hasina stressed interaction among the parliaments around the world saying that it would further consolidate democracy across the globe.

At the meeting, the prime minister was lauded for ensuring women's empowerment in Bangladesh.

The team also praised Hasina for introduction of question-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad during her first term in government in 1996, saying that the initiative had ensured the accountability of the prime minister and the government.