Peace model to stop illegal power takeover: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the peace model she unveiled at the 66th UNGA session is designed to make sure that the state power remains in the hands of the people.
“I have presented the peace model with the thinking that state power does not go to a handful of people or army barrack,” she said while speaking at a reception at VVIP lounge of Shahjalal International Airport yesterday evening.
The prime minister presented the 6-point multi-dimensional peace model on September 24 for championing democracy and people's empowerment, coinciding with the UNGA theme `Mediation in the peaceful settlement of international disputes'. The six multipliers of her proposed peace model include eradication of poverty and hunger, reduction of inequality, mitigation of deprivation, inclusion of excluded people, and acceleration of human development and elimination of terrorism.
Hasina said although the constitution has recognised the people as source of all power, but the state power was seized time and again through unconstitutional means.
“The country was placed either under full martial law or semi-martial law or army backed regime in the past,” she said. “We have amended the constitution to ensure the people's power.”
She said, “We believe in empowerment of the people. Through this empowerment, economic freedom and poverty alleviation could be achieved.”
About the trial of war criminals, she said the trial is being held in accordance with international norms to put an end to injustice.
Hasina said her party received electoral mandate through the 2008 general election to serve the people. “We're trying to serve the people and achieve self-sufficiency in food. “
Representatives of different professional groups including artistes, athletes, litterateurs, teachers, doctors, businessmen, cabinet ministers and AL leaders greeted her for receiving the South-South Global Health & Children's Health Award in New York. Earlier, an Emirates flight, carrying the prime minister, landed at the Shahjalal International Airport at 8.07pm following a five-hour stopover in Dubai.
Cabinet members, PM's advisers, lawmakers, high civil and military officials received her at the airport.
The prime minister had left Dhaka on September 17.
During her 11-day stay in New York, she attended a reception hosted by First Lady Michele Obama on September 22, and held bilateral talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 23.
The PM addressed a symposium on counterterrorism on September 19 organised by the UN secretary general. She also addressed a high-level meeting on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases at the General Assembly Hall.
On September 20, she received the Global Health and Children's Award for her outstanding contribution to develop Bangladesh's health sector by using the Information Communication Technology (ICT).
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments