Article

2006-03-01 Bangladesh

B'desh hunts for top fugitive Islamist leader

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Posted by Steve White 2006-03-01 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The joke is that theyre a particularly illiberal democracy

"Bangladeshis can change their government through elections. A referendum held in 1991 transformed the powerful presidency into a largely ceremonial head-of-state position in a parliamentary system. Elections to the 300-member unicameral parliament are held in single-member districts under a simple-plurality rule. The 1996 vote was the first under a constitutional amendment requiring a caretaker government to conduct elections. The most recent national elections, held in October 2001, were described as generally free and fair despite concerns over polling irregularities, intimidation, and violence. More than 140 people were killed throughout the campaign period in what was Bangladesh's most violent election to date. In July, European Union (EU) representatives as well as local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) raised concerns about the validity of a by-election held in the Dhaka-10 constituency that was marred by fraud and intimidation.

Both major parties have undermined the legislative process through lengthy parliamentary boycotts while in opposition. In recent years, political violence during demonstrations and general strikes has killed hundreds of people in major cities and injured thousands, and police often use excessive force against opposition protesters. Party leaders are also targeted, and several died during the year after being attacked. Odhikar, a local NGO, claimed that during the first half of 2004, there were 287 people killed in political violence. Student wings of political parties continue to be embroiled in violent campus conflicts.

Analysts blame endemic corruption, a weak rule of law, limited bureaucratic transparency, and political polarization for undermining government accountability. In October, Transparency International again listed Bangladesh at the bottom of a 146-country list on its 2004 Corruption Perceptions Index and noted that corruption was perceived to be "acute." An Anti-Corruption Commission, which is authorized to conduct investigations and try corruption cases in special courts, was launched in November. However, critics remain concerned that the new body will not be truly independent either politically or financially.

Posted by liberalhawk 2006-03-01 10:00|| 2006-03-01 10:00|| Front Page Top

#2 The other joke is that if the near term end state in Iraq is a system much like that in Bangladesh, most folks here will call it a grand victory, and a vindication of Bush.

And you know what, I'll be one of them. They'll be right.

Of course Bangladesh has had more years to build than Iraq post Saddam. OTOH Bangladesh is much poorer, less literate, less urban, etc than Iraq.

Id say Banglas about as democratic as id expect given all the strikes against it. You dont need Islam to explain the illiberalism of Bangladeshi democracy.

Posted by liberalhawk 2006-03-01 10:02|| 2006-03-01 10:02|| Front Page Top

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