PM: During BNP’s regime, human rights were violated at every step

Coming down heavily on BNP, PM Sheikh Hasina has said they raise questions about election and human rights, but during their regimes, human rights were violated at every step.

The premier was addressing a civic reception on Saturday, accorded to her by the Bangladeshi community in New York, US.

“They (BNP) are champions in vote-rigging. Starting from incorporating 1.23 crore fake voters, there’s no misdeed they haven’t committed,” she said.

The PM said Awami League believes in people’s rights and protects those rights.

“Awami League ensured the voting rights of people in this country,” she said, adding that AL gave back voting rights to people, which once remained confined in the cantonment.

Social development happened in Bangladesh thanks to the continuation of the democratic system since 2009, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said BNP tried time and again to disrupt the democratic system by unleashing arson attacks and killings, and imposing blockades.

Blasting Zia’s family, PM Hasina said Khaleda Zia was convicted in a graft case for misappropriating funds for orphans while his son Tarique Rahman for money laundering and 10-truck arms haul case.

She said Bangladesh government had also brought back the money that was illegally siphoned off by Zia’s other son, the late Koko.

She said her government has been working for the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates after giving a brief description of the efforts.

Praising the expatriates, Sheikh Hasina said they always stand by Bangladesh during its times of need.

- UNB