SHEIKH HASINA
SHEIKH HASINA
Honorable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh(2nd term), was born on 28 September, 1947 at Tungipara under Gopalganj district. She is the eldest of five children of the Father of the NationBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of independent Bangladesh.
She graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1973. She was elected Vice President of the Students Union of Government Intermediate Girl’s College. She was a member of the students League Unit of Dhaka University and Secretary of the Students League Unit of Rokeya Hall. She actively participated in all the mass movements since her student life.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with the members of his family was martyred on the fateful night of 15 August 1975. Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were the only survivors as they were in West Germany at that time. Later she went to the United Kingdom from where she started her movement against the autocratic rule in 1980. Sheikh Hasina was unanimously elected President of Bangladesh Awami League in 1981 in her absence, while she was forced to live in exile in New Delhi. Ending six years in exile, she returned home finally on 17 May 1981.In the parliamentary election held in 1986, she won three seats. She was elected Leader of the Opposition. She led the historic mass movement in 1990 and announced the constitutional formula for peaceful transfer of power through Articles 51 and 56 of the Constitution.
Following the election of 1991 Sheikh Hasina became Leader of the Opposition in the country’s Fifth Parliament, She steered all the political parties in the parliament towards changing the Presidential system into the Parliamentary one.
Sheikh Hasina created awareness among the people and waged a struggle for Non-party Caretaker Government to ensure free and fair polls. Her movement reached the peak after a non-cooperation movement in March 1996 and the provision for Non-party Caretaker Government was incorporated in the Constitution.
At the call of Sheikh Hasina a large number of people of all walks of life expressed solidarity with the movement at the ‘Janatar Mancha’. In the Parliamentary election held on 12 June 1996, Bangladesh Awami League emerged as the majority party and she assumed the office of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 23 June 1996. After becoming the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasinaadopted a number of pragmatic policies for overall development of the nation including poverty alleviation. During the last four years her government achieved laudable success including signing of the historic 30 year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India, signing of historic peace Accord on Chittagong Hill Tracts and inauguration of the Bangabandhu Bridge on the river Jamuna.
Sheikh Hasina was conferred Degree of Doctor of Law by the Boston University of the USA on 6 February 1997 and Honorary Doctor of Law by the Waseda University of Japan on 4 July 1997. She was also conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Liberal Arts by University of Abertay Dundee of the United Kingdom on 25 October, 1997. She was conferred Honorary Degree of Desikottama (Doctor of Literature, honoris causa) by Visva-Bharati University of West Bengal, India on 28 January 1999. She was also conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on the ground of her distinguished creative contributions in the service of society by the Australian National University on 20 October 1999. Dhaka University conferred Honorary 'Doctor of Laws' degree to Sheikh Hasina on 18 December, 1999 for her outstanding contribution towards peace and democracy. The World famous Catholic University of Brussels, Belgium conferred Honorary Doctorate degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) on Sheikh Hasina on 04 February, 2000 for her decisive role in establishing democracy, protecting human rights and peace. Sheikh Hasina has been conferred Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the Bridgeport University, USA on 5 September, 2000.
Sheikh Hasina has been awarded UNESCO's Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize for 1998 for her remarkable contribution to bringing peace through ending the 25 years of conflict in Chittagong Hill Tracts with political courage and statesmanship.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received prestigious Pearl S. Buck Award '99 on 9 April 2000 in recognition of her vision, courage, achievements in political, economic and humanitarian fields by Randolph Macon Women's College of USA. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been awarded the prestigious CERES' medal to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recognition to her fight against hunger on 02 August, 1999. The All India Peace Council awarded her 'Mother Teresa Award' in 1998. The Mahatma M K Gandhi Foundation of Oslo, Norway awarded Sheikh Hasina ‘M K Gandhi Award’ for 1998 for her contribution towards promotion of communal understanding, non violent religions harmony and growth of democracy at the level of grassroots in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina was named Paul Haris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. She was also given Medal of Distinction in 1996-97 and 1998-99 and Head of State Medal in 1996-97 by the International Association of Lions Clubs.She has authored several books including "Why Are They Street Children", "The Origin of Autocracy", 'Miles to Go", "Elimination of Poverty and Some Thoughts", "People and Democracy", "My Dream My Struggle" and "Development for the Masses." She performed holy Hajj and Umrah several times. Sheikh Hasina is the Chairperson of "The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust". She has been helping a lot of poor boys and girls for their education.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, throughout her life has been a strong proponent of peace, freedom and democracy. From an early age, inspired by the lofty ideals and love for the people of her father,Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the liberator of Bangladesh, she developed a strong sense of identity for the common people. She always spoke out against oppression and violation of human rights. This commitment has hardened over the years, particularly when her parents, brothers and scores of relatives were brutally assassinated by the misguided members of the military in 1975 soon after the independence of Bangladesh. Since that time her resolve for democracy and development for the teeming millions of Bangladesh has become firmly entrenched. She struggled for the return of democracy in Bangladeshand fought valiantly for its establishment in the country in every possible manner. She was committed to making Parliament the centre of all national activities.
In 1996, the people of Bangladesh gave her a strong mandate as the Prime Minister of the country. Despite serious resource and constraints and recurrent natural calamity as well as widespread poverty, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the first two years of her government, has lived up to her unswerving commitment to the cause of peace, democracy, development and human rights.
Her first act of peace within months of her assumption of office was the initiative for resolution of the long-standing water-sharing dispute with India through a 30-years treaty. This put an end to a very complex regional dispute.
Her visionary idea of a business summit among the political and private sector leaders of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan has added a new chapter in the history of South Asia. Her dedicated leadership also made possible a peace agreement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, thereby solving the 23-year old insurgency in the Hill districts of Bangladesh. This peace accord brought an area inhabited by nearly 5 million people out of violence and into a time of peace and development. Though the international media has not given much prominence to this accord, it is uniquely remarkable because the peace accord benefited such a large number of people and the whole area has been brought under development programs following the complete surrender of arms by the insurgents.Her quest for peace has taken her to India and Pakistan to talk to the leaders of these two countries soon after the nuclear test urging reduction of tension in the region.
Prime Minister Hasina has been a strong advocate for the Culture of Peace at global, regional and national levels. In many major conferences, she espoused the concept of the Culture of Peace, most recently in South Africa at the 12th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which has a membership of 114 countries. Her initiative has resulted in the first-ever resolution by the Plenary of the United Nations General Assembly on the Culture of Peace. She also provided leadership for the declaration by the UN of the period 2001 to 2010 as the International Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. Prime Minister Hasina’s determination for the eradication of poverty, in particular through wide-ranging microcredit programmes, has been recognized world-wide. Her co-chairpersonship of the Microcredit Summit in February 1997 which resolved to bring 100 million families of the world out of poverty by 2005 focused world attention to her strong commitment to the eradication of poverty and enlistment of the poorest of the poor. She has been a champion of microcredit by spreading the message in major international forums. Her leadership led to the adoption for the first time by UN General Assembly a far-reaching resolution on the role of microcredit in the eradication of poverty. Along with poverty eradication, she has focused on the empowerment of women and has successfully completed legislation to ensure adequate representation of women in the local government bodies, leading to the election of more than 14,000 women to these bodies in 1997. She has taken major initiatives to stop violence against women and children.
She has also provided leadership in the field of education, particularly for the education of girls in her own country as well as advocating it for global support. Her government has greatly enhanced budgetary allocation for primary education focusing on girls’ education.
To improve the quality of life of the people of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has particularly focused on human development, paying special attention to healthcare, family planning, nutrition, women’s rights and survival and development of children. At the UN and other forums, she has been a major voice in support of the cause of children and their rights.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has, all along her life, defended human rights in every possible way. Her active promotion of the rights of women and children has drawn appreciation by both of government and NGOs as well as international organizations. She has promoted the right to development as having centrality in the human rights regime. At the NAM Summit in South Africa in 1998, her proposal for a Convention on the Right to Development received welcoming endorsement of the Heads of State and Government. She initiated the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission and the office of Ombudsperson as well as Bangladesh’s recent accession to six major human rights instruments including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Her keen interest resulted in the signature by Bangladesh of the Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ratification of the Landmines Treaty, being the first country in South Asia to do so. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s initiative resulted in the hosting of the first-ever conference of the Asian parliamentarians devoted to peace and cooperation in Dhaka in September 1999 which elected her as the first President of the Association of Asian Parliaments for peace established at the conference.
At present, as someone who has lost so much personally and has been a victim of oppression and denial of freedom, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stands out as a messenger of peace, democracy, development and human rights. Her leadership of the eighth largest country of the world manifests her concern for the people, seen again during the worst-ever floods in Bangladesh in 1998.
§ Sheikh Hasina is the recipient of the UNESCO Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize for 1998 for her role in bringing peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh.
§ Sheikh Hasina has been awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Award for 1998 (Oslo, Norway) for her contribution towards promotion of communal understanding, non-violence, religious harmony and growth of grassroots democracy in Bangladesh.
§ She has been awarded 1999 CERES Medal for contribution to the agriculture development by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
§ She is the winner of the 1999 Pearl S. Buck Award for "your vision, your courage and your achievements in political, economic and humanitarian spheres capture the spirit of the award and of the woman who inspired it."
§ She has been awarded honorary Doctor of Liberal Arts by the University of Alberta Dundee in the United Kingdom in October 1997.
§ She has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by the Boston University in the United States and the Waseda University of Japan.
§ She has been conferred the degree of Desikottama (Doctor of Literature) by the Visva-Bharati University, India founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
§ She has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by the Australian National University in October 1999.
§ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by Dhaka University in December 1999.
§ She has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by the Catholic University of Brussels in February 2000.
§ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred by the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for her contribution to world peace and development by the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut in the United States on 5 September 2000.
Under her leadership her party Bangladesh Awami League led grand alliance to win a landslide victory in the 9th Parliament Election on December 29, 2008 with 262 seats out of 299 in the National Parliament.
Sheikh Hasina took oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh (2nd term) at a ceremony held at Banghabhaban on January 06, 2009.
Political Profile of Sheikh Hasina
"We want to form the government after the elections on the basis of national consensus. We want to build a society free from terrorism, corruption and poverty. We want to fully equip the nation with the ability to enter the 21st century along with other developed countries of the world", Sheikh Hasina announced in her election manifesto on 10 May 1996. Then came the June 12 parliamentary elections. The Bangladesh Awami League, under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina, won a majority of seats in Parliament and formed the government on June 23.
June 23, 1996 is not merely the day on which Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the founding father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Muiibur Rahman, was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. On this day, the people of Bangladesh once again perceived the outcome of their right to freely elect their representatives. After 21 years of ruthless oppression, free-wheeling corruption and overt and covert martial law, democracy has finally been restored.
On the day of the cruel assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, along with members of his family, Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana escaped the gruesome act as they were away from the country. After the tragedy Sheikh Hasina was forced to remain outside the country. but she continued to work for unifying the Bangalees at home and abroad for launching an all-pervasive democratic movement. On May 17, 1981 after nearly six years in exile, Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangladesh as the President of Bangladesh Awami League. She was then only 33 years old. Ever since that day, she has constantly been fighting to establish the rights of the people of Bangladesh. She had to struggle for 15 long years to prepare and lead the Awami League for the task of carrying out a ceaseless political movement for the restoration of democracy in the country. Throughout this difficult struggle, the poor masses of Bangladesh stood firmly beside her.
The dream that had once seemed impossible became a reality on March 30. A popular upsurge forced the autocratic regime to surrender to the people's demand for holding national elections under a neutral caretaker government. The pioneer of the movement was Sheikh Hasina, a relentless fighter, carrying forward the legacy of her illustrious father Bangabandhu Sheikh Muiibur Rahman. Sheikh Hasina dedicated 15 years of her life fighting for restoration of the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh. Her indomitable spirit, political farsightedness and complete devotion to the cause of the people finally helped efface the legacy of military coups, political murder and oppressive regimes.
Throughout her college and university years Sheikh Hasina actively participated in political movements. The death of her father on August 15, 1975 was the turning point in her career. The brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many of his family members placed the hope for the country's future in his two exiled daughters— Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana.
The impact of the coup on Bangladesh was quick and powerful. It placed the country completely at the mercy of some ambitious and greedy generals and changed the course of the history of Bangladesh. What happened was not just a change of government. The coup leaders attempted to transform a democratic nation into a military oligarchy. The pro-Pakistan forces, which had suffered an ignominious defeat in the War of Liberation in 1971, regained control of the government and introduced policies to undermine the democratic and secular ideals and values which the Bangalees had firmly cherished and upheld, and which had inspired the creation of Bangladesh. The first move was the imposition of Martial Law to deprive the people of their democratic rights. This was followed by concerted efforts at breaking the spirit of the to struggle. Murders, unlawful imprisonment and tortures sponsored by the then government followed.
Bangabandhu's entire life was dedicated to the emancipation of the people of Bangladesh. All the dreams he had cherished throughout the turmoil of his life blossomed around the somnolent. The volcanic potential of the life of the people of this land manifested in his struggle. He could not have enough time to take care of his family. Bangabandhu's wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa took care of their children and family, and at times even of party matters in his absence. Her father's ideals, family traditions and a strong personality, coupled with her mother's guidance, helped Sheikh Hasina get transformed into the great leader that she is today.
She had been keen in politics since the beginning of her life. In her own words, "I have been associated with the political ups and downs of the country and with the Awami League since my childhood. I witnessed the unbearable oppression suffered by my father and his colleagues during the democratic movements. My father spent most of his life in prison. Whenever he was free, he used to remain busy with political activities and in organizing the party. I have seen my mother guide the party along with other leaders in the absence of my father, and carry out his plans while he was in prison. My first lesson in politics came out of my family atmosphere. The first time I directly got involved in politics was when the country was in political turmoil demanding autonomy and democracy. Later, I fully participated in the students' movement in 1962. Political unrest was widespread among students in 1962. Students, workers, farmers and ordinary people came out on the streets with their political and economic demands. I attended meetings and took part in processions against the undemocratic and anti-people Pakistani rulers. No conscious Bangalee could remain aloof from the political mainstream during those tumultuous days in the sixties. I too could not keep myself away from the path of revolution and resistance".
Soon after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family, Sheikh Hasina began to communicate with party workers while living outside Bangladesh. Despite being forced to remain in exile, on August 15, 1980 she attended a huge political rally in London, on the occasion of the observance of the fifth anniversary of the death of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Soon after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family, Sheikh Hasina began to communicate with party workers while living outside Bangladesh. Despite being forced to remain in exile, on August 15, 1980, she attended a huge political rally in London, on the occasion of the observance of the fifth anniversary of the death of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina's first speech in York Hall established her as a political leader. Then in 1981, still in exile, Sheikh Hasina was made the president, in absentia, of the largest political party of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Awami League. Within a very short period of time she proved to be as charismatic a leader as her father had been. Keeping in mind her father's hopes and dreams for the country, she began to speak out against the oppressive military rulers in an attempt to establish the democratic rights of the people.
It was Sheikh Hasina's unbounded courage and inner strength of personality that sustained her during the traumatic period that followed her return to Bangladesh in 1981. It was not an easy task for a young woman who had been stranded for years with her husband and small children in a foreign country. A hostile government persecuted all those who were loyal to her father and the Awami League. Nevertheless, Sheikh Hasina's courage did not fail her, nor did she lose faith in the future of Bangladesh. Her profound commitment to Bangalee nationalism, secular values and democratic ideals fortified her morale, during those lonely years of her life. In the manner of her illustrious father Sheikh Hasina's deep love for the people of Bangladesh was combined with the conviction that the voice of the people would ultimately be heard. After the initial period of shock and mourning, she began to mobilise and organise Bangalees at home and abroad, especially inspiring those who had lost all hope in the future of Bangladesh. The people responded and welcomed the daughter of democracy with open arms and renewed hope.
In 1981, the Bangladesh Awami League, reeling under the assault of the military regime of General Ziaur Rahman, invited Sheikh Hasina to assume the leadership of the party that had led the country through its war of independence in 1971. She accepted the challenge and returned to a hearty welcome by millions of followers of Bangabandhu. Since that memorable day, as the President of the Awami League, she led the party through a period of reorganisation and rehabilitation. Sheikh Hasina suffered imprisonment several times, fought two national elections and led a massive popular movement through which she ousted an autocratic military dictator from power.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League spearheaded a struggle against the despotic rulers. She initiated and led an uncompromising movement against the military dictators in an attempt to bring democracy back to Bangladesh.
In 1982, she was the first to raise the voice of protest against assumption of state power through military coups d'etat. Taking great risk, she put tremendous pressure on Ershad's regime to end martial law and hold free and fair elections. Though political activities were banned at that time the Awami League was the only political party that had the courage to demand democratic rights for the people of Bangladesh. In 1983, Sheikh Hasina formed a 15 party alliance from which grew a powerful student movement protesting against the military government. On February 14, 1983 the army entered the Dhaka University campus and fired bullets and used batons to quell the agitating students. On February 15, as she protested the inhuman act through organising a peaceful rally at the Shahid Minar (the memorial for the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952), Sheikh Hasina was arrested and taken blindfolded to Dhaka cantonment along with her associates. She was kept incommunicado for 15 days. In October 1983, Sheikh Hasina said, "The tactics previously applied to usurp the office of the President since the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been adopted once again by General Ershad. The process is, first, staging a coup d'etat, then consolidating power and finally declaring the usurper as President. If the usurper goes to the electorate after he captures power, the result of the election is determined beforehand in his favour. As a result, political instability persists. That is why we demand that state power be handed over to the elected representatives of the people".
Thereafter, she had to suffer confinement time and again. In 1984 she was put under house arrest in February and then again in November. In March 1985, she was put under house arrest for three months at a stretch. On March 26, 1986 in a statement issued in Dhaka on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said that her party would participate in the general elections as part of its movement to put an end to the politics of "coups, killings, conspiracies and martial law". She also said, "We want to have elections not only to form the next government but also to establish a system that represents the people as well".
Sheikh Hasina became Leader of the Opposition in Parliament commanding the support of 104 elected MPs belonging to her party and alliance. As the youngest Leader of the Opposition she demonstrated her political acumen and sagacity in and outside Parliament. She forced the treasury bench to withdraw a number of bills which went against the fundamental rights of the people. Sheikh Hasina remained Leader of the Opposition until the dissolution of Parliament by General Ershad in December 1987.
In October 1986, Sheikh Hasina, in defiance of marital law, addressed a huge rally in Bogra. On her way from Bogra to Rajshahi, she was detained and forcibly sent back to Dhaka. On November 11, 1987 she was again put under house arrest for a month, despite her being the leader of the opposition in Parliament at the time. During a demonstration in front of the government secretariat on November I0, 1987 the police opened fire on Sheikh Hasina and tried to lift her car with a crane while she was leaving the National Press Club. In the face of strong resistance from the people, the police failed to arrest her and she was able to slip out of the car. On January 24, 1988, while addressing a public meeting in Chittagong, police fired on the crowd, killing nearly 80 people and narrowly missing Sheikh Hasina and her aides. Undeterred by these threats on her life, she went on touring the country from one end to the other to inspire and motivate the people to defend their democratic rights.
Sheikh Hasina took a resolute stand against military rule from the day she returned to Bangladesh. Since then, she never compromised on her commitment to the people. Her 15 year long struggle against military rule was crowned with success when the last military dictator had to surrender power in ignominy.
Today, Sheikh Hasina stands transformed from the political fugitive as she was in 1975, to be in the center of the political life of the nation, pioneering the struggle to re-establish the ideals for which millions of Bangalees fought and died. Sheikh Hasina steered the historic mass movement which toppled the autocratic regime of General Ershad and forced him to transfer power through constitutional means. At a huge public meeting in Dhaka on November 6, 1990 Sheikh Hasina announced the constitutional formula for the peaceful transfer of power in accordance with Articles 51 and 56 of the Constitution. This was eventually accepted by the entire nation. On November 27, 1990 Sheikh Hasina was again confined in Bangabandhu Bhaban following the proclamation of a state of emergency. But the government was forced to release her the same day, in the face of a mass protest against her arrest. On December 4, 1990 General Ershad was compelled to step down and accept the demand of the people following a 24 hour ultimatum Issued by Sheikh Hasina.
It was a matter of great disappointment, however, that her party did not get an absolute majority in Parliament in the 1991 national elections. the Awami League received 38% of the popular vote and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party received 31%.
Sheikh Hasina's accomplishments as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament drew the admiration of the entire nation. As in the past, she stood firmly on the side of the people on every issue in which the interests of the people were involved. She observed how the Presidential System had been abused by previous leaders. Sheikh Hasina steered all the political parties towards a parliamentary system which eventually had to be accepted by the BNP government. Indeed, it was due to her initiative and leadership that today the nation has been able to attain its goal of establishing a parliamentary form of government.
Sheikh Hasina has always stood by the poor masses of Bangladesh. In 1992, she launched a nationwide campaign to help the farmers and workers who had been suffering from negligence and indifference under the BNP government. In 1995, peasants raised their protest against an artificial fertilizer crisis created by the BNP leaders and their henchmen, which resulted in the death of 18 peasants in police firing. Sheikh Hasina reacted sharply in support of the poor peasants and mobilised a strong peasant movement across the country to protect their interest. Soon after, the BNP government killed 17 workers who had been agitating against the closure of several hundred mills and factories. Sheikh Hasina rushed to the aid of the workers to share their concerns and helped them to unite in the defense of their rights.
In August 1995, a teen-aged girl Yasmin was raped and brutally killed by a gang of policemen in Dinajpur. Seeing no justice being done a group of people surrounded the police station and demanded justice. The police opened fire and killed seven of the protesters. Sheikh Hasina strongly protested against this cruelty and, using the example of the Dinajpur incident aroused public awareness about similar crimes committed by the BNP government. This led to an enormous public reaction against the BNP all over Bangladesh.
As Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Sheikh Hasina always upheld the interest of the people and the cause of democracy. Witnessing what happened during the previous by-elections Sheikh Hasina began to demand the creation of a permanent system which would ensure free and fair elections in the country. She demanded the resignation of the BNP government and proposed the establishment of a non-party, neutral, caretaker government to conduct national election.
In 1994, Sheikh Hasina succeeded in organising a campaign that brought together other major opposition parties closer to hers in the movement for democracy. When all negotiations with the government failed, the opposition members in Parliament resigned on December 28, 1994. Sheikh Hasina launched a renewed movement demanding that general elections be held under a neutral caretaker government. The movement gained momentum when the BNP held polls on February 15, 1996 which was boycotted by all political parties. The boycott was universally supported and the turnout of voters was as low as 5%. On March 9, 1996 Sheikh Hasina declared a non-cooperation movement against the BNP government. People from all strata of society along with government officials and employees fully cooperated with the movement. As the non-cooperation movement approached a climax, at the directive of Sheikh Hasina, the 'Janatar Mancha' i.e. people's platform, was organised in Dhaka. Thousands of people from all walks of life expressed their solidarity with the movement. This turned out to be the final blow to the BNP government, and on March 30, 1996 the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was forced to resign and a non-party caretaker government was formed. Even the most virulent of her critics were compelled to congratulate Sheikh Hasina on her political sagacity in the creation of a neutral caretaker government and her successful exercise of leadership in mobilising popular support. The idea of a neutral caretaker government is seen by political observers as a significant contribution of Sheikh Hasina to the cause of democracy. Political thinkers feel that this system may be applied to other Third World countries in future.
Sheikh Hasina has made it clear at various points of time that she would continue her struggle for the economic emancipation of the poor masses. This has always been her fundamental political objective. She has often said, "The rich minority of the people must stop exploiting the poor majority". Sheikh Hasina has vowed to eliminate corruption. According to her, " Corruption at the top levels of government is the root of many evils in society". She believes that corruption can be checked at all levels only if corrupt government leaders are dealt with an iron hand.
Sheikh Hasina's courage and charisma have often invited attempts on her life. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on her residence several times. On September 11, 1991 during the parliamentary by-elections, a group of armed BNP hooligans shot at her. The bullet narrowly missed her. During her Train March in 1994, gunmen opened fire on her compartment at Ishurdi railway station. In the last anti-government movement, Sheikh Hasina's rallies were attacked by BNP activists, who opened fire and hurled bombs to disrupt those meetings. However, defying such attacks, she boldly addressed the rallies and declared that if the Awami League could form the government, it would eliminate terrorism from society. No threat could deter her from the struggle to achieve the right to vote and bring about economic emancipation of the people.
Despite the heavy responsibilities of being the leader of the largest political party in the country, Sheikh Hasina has also been working tirelessly to promote international peace, disarmament, racial harmony, goodwill and fraternity among nations. In 1984, she attended the Sixth Congress of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation (AAPSO) in Algiers as a special guest. At the invitation of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, Sheikh Hasina visited the PLO headquarters in Tunisia in 1985 and exchanged views with PLO leaders on international affairs and matters of mutual interest.
Sheikh Hasina was also a special quest at the First Eleanor Roosevelt International Caucus of Women Political Leaders, organised by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in San Francisco in 1987. In 1988, she delivered the keynote speech on Disarmament and Development at the Seventh Congress of Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation in New Delhi. In 1988, Sheikh Hasina attended the meeting of the Presidium Committee of the World Peace Council in Prague as a member of the Presidium of the World Peace Council. She was a special guest at an international seminar held in Dhaka by Bangladesh Peace Council in 1992. She also attended the Convention of the Democratic Party in New York in 1992.
Sheikh Hasina has also been very active in the promotion of bilateral relations in the South Asian region. She has visited India on a number of occasions for deliberation with its leaders on bilateral problems. As a special guest, she visited Katmandu in 1992 to attend an International Seminar on Lord Buddha organised by the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship and Cultural Association. She attended a meeting of the Leaders of the Opposition of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) held in Karachi in 1992. On November 5, 1993 she visited China as Leader of the Opposition where she discussed bilateral and multilateral issues relating to agricultural and industrial development of Bangladesh with Chinese co-operation.
Sheikh Hasina has been an active participant in promoting the cause of Human Rights as well as the rights of women. In June 1993, she addressed the NGO conference held in Vienna prior to the Second World Congress on Human Rights. She visited Washington D.C. on February 2, 1994 in response to an invitation of the Chairman of the Congressional Executive Committee to the National Prayer Breakfast. In March, 1994 while visiting India, she met with the Prime Minister of India and discussed the issue of sharing of the Ganges waters and demanded a reasonable solution. She also demanded that the "Tin Bigha Corridor" should remain open for the citizens of Bangladesh round the clock. In May 1994, she attended the Socialist International Seminar in Tokyo, Japan. In 1994, she was elected Vice President of the Eastern Vision Forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Sheikh Hasina has dedicated her life to the difficult and often dangerous task of crusading for democracy In her country, rather than opting for a safe and comfortable life abroad. In February 1996, an English news commentary broadcast on the BBC World Service programme described Sheikh Hasina as an 'Iron Lady' for her uncompromising stand on the issue of the democratic rights of the people.
In the midst of her pre-occupation with the day-to-day responsibilities as president of the Awami League and Leader of the Opposition, she never lost sight of her goals, nor did she falter in her firm commitment to the cause of freedom and human rights.
Now, at the apex of her political life, Sheikh Hasina is an outstanding Third World leader who has made great contributions in enlarging the scope of freedom for the people and enriching the human spirit. Today, Sheikh Hasina ranks first and foremost among the political leaders in Bangladesh. It is because of her leadership that she has successfully been able to lead her party through a relentless mass movement in ousting a military autocratic regime. Hers is the voice of the people, of reason and pragmatism. She is always graceful even after hectic organisational activities. She is a person with vision and balanced approach to life. An ardent protagonist of the parliamentary form of government, Sheikh Hasina believes in a mixed economy and healthy competition between the public and the private sectors. She is in full agreement with the essence of the foreign policy expounded by her father— "Friendship to all, malice to none".
"I have taken a vow to transform this country into a politically stable one. Deep in my heart, I believe that economic development that changes people's fate can come only through political stability." Sheikh Hasina has said, adding, "My political aim is to ensure the people's right to ballot and bread. I want to start from the grassroots, where the majority of the poorest of the poor live in inhuman conditions".
Sheikh Hasina's life has been dedicated to the people of Bangladesh. Her political ambitions begin and end with the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. Her goal is to fulfill her father's dream of building a golden Bangladesh, "Sonar Bangla". Her political aim is the establishment of a free, just and caring society. Sheikh Hasina has often said, "If I have to lay down my life like my father, I am ready for it".
It was Sheikh Hasina's unswerving commitment to democratic ideals and secular values which made her a symbol of the aspirations of the people. She launched her crusade for the restoration of democracy in the country right from the time she touched the soil of Bangladesh in 1981. Defying the then President General Ziaur Rahman's autocratic rule, she declared, "I have nothing to lose. I pledge to fight for the restoration of democracy in the country and the fundamental rights of my people". She has adhered to her promise.
Two decades of military and quasi-military rule destroyed the existing democratic institutions of the country. They also created a lumpen class at the helm of affairs of the state, who plundered the economy, destroyed values, crippled the education system and corrupted the society. Hardly any civil institution was left unscathed by all pervasive greed and hatred perpetuated by the Generals and their civil-military cronies.
Sheikh Hasina knew well that it would be a daunting task on her part to revive the shattered democratic institutions, if her party was voted to power in the June 12, 1996 national elections. Keeping this in mind, she made it categorically clear in her election manifesto that if the Awami League won the elections she would form a government of national consensus with a view to clearing the refuse and waste that had piled up in society during two decades of misrule.
After assuming power as Prime Minister on June 23, 1996 she re-assured the nation of her election commitments by inducting ministers from the Jatiya Party (JP) and the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) in her newly formed cabinet. Later, she inducted two ministers from the BNP in her cabinet. Regarding the economic policy of her government, she reiterated the prime need for alleviation of poverty through creation of maximum employment opportunity, both in rural and urban areas, especially in the predominantly agricultural sector.
In her first address to the nation after becoming Prime Minister, she said that peasants, who are the mainstay of the economy, would be rendered all possible support in the form of supply of agro-inputs, fertilizer, seeds, pesticides and irrigation equipment at low price, if need be, through price subsidy. She also reconfirmed that her government of national consensus would stick to its announced policy of pursuing a free-market economy by allowing the forces of demand and supply to determine the economic equilibrium. She also made emphatic mention of her government's policy of carrying out necessary structural reforms in the economy to put it at par with the global economic system.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urges Freedom Fighters:
Remain alert against anti-state conspiracies
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon the freedom fighters to remain alert against conspiracies being hatched by the war criminals and anti- liberation forces against the country.
"The trial of the war criminals would be held in the country foiling all sorts of conspiracies," a determined Sheikh Hasina said when the newly elected office bearers of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Command Council called on her at her office in Dhaka on Wednesday noon.
President of the council Major General (retd) Helal Morshed Khan, Bir Bikram, led the delegation, said Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad after the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the anti- liberation defeated forces who could not accept our victory in 1971 so far have been hatching conspiracies against the independent Bangladesh.
She said their conspiracy to foil the trial process of the war criminals must go futile as the people of the country want trial of the criminals who perpetrated crimes against humanity during the country's Great War of Liberation in 1971.
The process of trial of the war criminals has already been started and they would be tried on the soil of Bangladesh, she said and sought cooperation of the freedom fighters in this regard.
Mentioning various programmes undertaken by her government for the welfare of the freedom fighters and their families, Sheikh Hasina said the present Awami League government has been working relentlessly for the betterment of the freedom fighters.
The government is implementing various projects involving over Taka 200 crore for the welfare of the valiant sons of the soil who fought risking their life during the country's nine- month long War of Liberation.
In this context, she requested the well-off section of the freedom fighters to help their distressed and poor colleagues as it is not possible for the government alone to ensure their welfare
Referring to random distortion of the history of War of Liberation, the Prime Ministersaid the successive rulers after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 deliberately distorted the history to stay in power.
The new generation was deprived of the real history of War of Liberation in a planned way and now the younger generation had become very much enthusiastic to know the actual history of War of Liberation and as a result they massively cast their vote for Awami League during the last general elections, she added.
The Prime Minister said the image of the country was tarnished abroad during the last four-party alliance government through militancy, terrorism and corruption and the present government due its relentless efforts could manage to restore it and this trend should continue.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the command council in 1973 and gave huge property including various institutions for the Muktijoddha Welfare Trust but actually deserving freedom fighters could not reap benefit form it.
She said after the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975, these institutions were made unprofitable as part of conspiracy that eventually deprived the freedom fighters to benefit from those establishments.
On the direct election of Muktijoddha Command Council for the first time in Bangladesh this year, Sheikh Hasina said she herself wanted direct election of the command council for electing the real leaders who could work for the welfare of the freedom fighters instead of own welfare.
The Prime Minister congratulated the newly elected leaders and urged them to work for the welfare of the freedom fighters so that no freedom fighters remain hungry and distressed. "I don't want to see that freedom fighters are suffering from lack of food and shelter," she said.
She also called upon the Affluent Freedom Fighters To Stand Beside The Insolvent Ones.
PM Sheikh Hasina slams BNP for calling Hartal
Has BNP called hartal against the government or the court that in its verdict declared the caretaker government system illegal?” sheikh Hasina questionedJune 03,2011Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday castigated the main opposition BNP for calling a countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal on Sunday to “protest against cancellation of the caretaker government system”. “Has BNP called hartal against the government or the court that in its verdict declared the caretaker government system illegal?” she questioned when a delegation of Niloy-Nitol and IPSSL groups called on her at her office here Thursday afternoon. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict on caretaker government system, she said that the government has nothing to do but comply with the verdict of the country’s apex court. The Prime Minister said the Election Commission (EC) will be strengthened so that it could conduct the polling and perform other activities independently. She said e-voting would also be introduced to hold a free, fair and neutral election. Sheikh Hasina also referred to various programmes of her government to ensure food security in the country through increasing agricultural production. When the delegation expressed keen interest to produce crops by taking lease of farmland in different countries, especially in some African countries, the Prime Minister said that her government would provide all-out support to this end. She said this initiative by the private sector will help create job opportunities for the Bangladeshi people abroad. On business issue, Sheikh Hasina said businessmen in the country feel good as they can run their business smoothly when Awami League is in power. At the outset of the meeting, the delegation members welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on caretaker government system and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her government’s stance to comply with the court’s judgment.After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed the newsmen. Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Food Minister Dr Abdur Razzak, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Moshiur Rahman and State Minister for Forests and Environment Dr Hasan Mahmud and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.
No religion, no territory for militants, terrorists:
PM Sheikh HasinaPM’s Interview with Telegraph
As the recent arrest of some Bangladeshi-origin Britons as terror suspects created a stir, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made it clear that extremist militants and terrorists do not have any religion nor do they have territorial bounds.“They can do their job anywhere, anytime,” she said in an exhaustive interview covering all issues and challenges Bangladesh facing as well as achievements the country attained—ranging from politics, trade and investment, and war crimes trial to climate change battle plan. In the 40-minute-long interview Sheikh Hasina spoke to the renowned British journalists on a wide range of issues like human rights, Rab training and ‘crossfire’, war crimes tribunal, bringing back war criminals from abroad, arrest of Bangladeshi nationals as terror suspects in the UK, political rehabilitation of Jamaat leaders in London and so on. British investment in Bangladesh, development of Bangladesh in information technology, the role of government in fighting poverty, food security, Bangladesh stand in favour of world peace, practice of democracy, freedom of speech, Bangladesh’s desire to the world community on climate change, bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh also came up for discussion. The discussion began with the issue of recent arrest of few Bangladeshi youths in the UK as terror suspects. To answer a question in this connection Sheikh Hasina said, “There is no religion and no territory for the extremist militants. The only religion they follow is terrorism. The whole world is their geographical territory. So we should not mix up the identity of such terrorists with their nationality. The only identity they bear is they are terrorists. I don’t think accusing a country or a religion would be the right thing as regards the misdeeds of these terrorists.”
Asked about a recent comment of a Bangladeshi minister in London that terrorists from Britain could go to Bangladesh and get involved in terrorism there as well, Sheikh Hasina said, “I have said extremist militants and terrorists don’t have any religion or territory. They can do their job anywhere, anytime.”
Britain-Bangladesh joint collaboration can end such problems, she viewed about the way of tackling the common problem of transnational terrorism.
Jamaat-e-Islami is now more active in Britain than in Bangladesh, why? Andrew Gilligan asked Sheikh Hasina. She answered: It is the British government who should look into the matter, not us. Due to anti-liberation role during the War of Liberation many supporters later came to Britain and, maybe, taking the opportunity of freedom of expression they have established their position in this country, Hasina opined.
She said, “As the people of Bangladesh are motivated with their spirit of peace, progress and secularism, the parties like Jamaat-e-Islami are not being able to have their stronghold in the country.”
Asked whether she is satisfied with the steps taken by Britain in curbing extremism Sheikh Hasina said, “We are trying to face the problem through bilateral cooperation. I think through the exchange of information both the countries are being benefited.”
There are allegations that few identified war criminals of Bangladesh are hiding in Britain. Would there be any effort to take them back to the country to face the war crimes tribunal? To answer this question from Andrew Gilligan the Bangladeshi prime minister said, “War crimes tribunal is working independently. It is a matter of tribunal’s decision, when and whom it will summon. The only thing our government wants from the tribunal is a fair, transparent, well-accepted and international-standard trial of the criminals.”
Asked whether the government faces any difficulty in conducting the war crimes trial, Hasina said, “Problems are always there. Our opposition party has a support for this defeated force of the War of Liberation. But the support we are getting from the mass people of Bangladesh in favour of the trial, I firmly believe, that will enable us to complete it in time.”
She went on, “There are allegations that a group of war criminals, who took shelter in Britain in the pre-liberation period, are trying to hinder the trial process. We find the force is active both in Bangladesh and Britain.”
Why the tribunal after long forty years? Asked Andrew Gulligan.
Sheikh Hasina: “After liberation, in 1973 an effort was taken by the then government of Bangladesh to try the war criminals through enacting the War Crimes Act ‘73. But, after military ruler Ziaur Rahman came to power through killing Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, the trial process stopped.”
Moreover, she added, many identified war criminals were politically rehabilitated during that regime. These allowed the anti-liberation force to be organised again. The country started witnessing politics of killing and terrorism. In the name of democracy a martial-law administration was imposed upon the people of the country.
“Freedom of speech and individual freedom were taken away. Through the demolition of democratic institutions, resulted from a long struggle and sacrifice, the country started facing an anarchic situation.”
The prime minister said, “During 40 years of post-liberation period, the Awami League remained in power for only 10 years. And by overcoming the situation caused by the present opposition party and its main collaborator anti-liberation force it took us 40 years to re-start the trial.”
“War crimes against a nation never end, let alone in forty years,” she said in support of her government’s belated step.
Sheikh Hasina cited the recent trial process of the 2nd World War criminals—the historic Nuremberg trial of German Nazis.
How long the tribunal will take to finish the trial? Asked Gulligan.
The prime minister said, “It absolutely depends on the tribunal. From the government part we have told them that the people of the country want to see a transparent, well accepted and international standard trial. And the tribunal is free to take time to ensure that.”
To answer another query from the British journalist regarding extremist groups’ threats of terrorism and role of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said, “Spirit of secularism is a thousand years’ heritage of the Bangalee. We are a peace-loving nation. As a country of liberal Muslim majority with equal and friendly living condition for people of all religions, we never provide shelter to any evil force.”
As a country of South Asia Bangladesh firmly stands for regional peace, Hasina said, adding: “We want to see peace in South Asia and also across the world.”
She mentioned the peace process in Chittagong Hill Tracts initiated in 1996 and successful establishment of peace in the troubled hills without assistance from any third party. “Through signing peace accord we ensured a breeze of peace among the ethnic groups in the CHT,” Sheikh Hasina said.
To a question from Andrew Gilligan regarding extra-judicial killings by the Rapid Action Battalion, Sheikh Hasina said Rab was introduced in 2004 during the regime of BNP-Jamaat coalition government. “From the very begging of its inception Rab started extra-judicial killings. And in those days I was more vocal against such killings.”
Sheikh Hasina said some newspapers are nowadays more aggressive against such killings, which was absent during the “massive violation of human rights by Rab immediately after its introduction”.
She said, “I am not disagreeing that 1/2 such incidents of violation of human rights are happening. But all must understand that it takes time to change a long-running practice of a disciplined force.
“During the BNP-Jamaat alliance government, there were mountain-sized allegations of human rights violation against Rab. Our government is trying to bring the elite force back from those allegations—and such violations are being stopped phase by phase. But we must be given time for that.”
Mentioning the training of Rab offered by British government the prime minister raised the question: “Does the British government provide training without checking allegations of human rights violation? Definitely not.”
What are the main challenges in front of the government? To answer the question of Andrew Gilligan, the Bangladeshi prime minister said, “We have identified our enemy and that is poverty. We have to fight against poverty. And that is the biggest challenge facing us. We are giving priority to economic progress, food security, development of information technology, etc.”
She viewed: “In a democratic society there may have different parties and opinions. But, for the national cause, we must have to work together.”
In this connection Sheikh Hasina mentioned that her government ensures freedom of speech in the country. “At least 335 newspapers are being published in the country, new television channels are also being approved,” she said.
“The media can help in creating public awareness and identifying problems in society. Due to free flow of information the people of the country now can understand the difference between light and darkness,” Sheikh Hasina said.
Judiciary, Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission—all these are working independently, she added.
Mentioning recent development of Bangladesh in the field of information technology Hasina said, “People in the remotest parts of Bangladesh are now using mobile telephone. Poor farmers are being given agri-loan in time in digital process, online tender system has been introduced to ensure transparency and use of information technologies in the village level in Bangladesh is no more a dream—it is a reality now.”
To a query on foreign investment in Bangladesh the prime minister said her government opened the door of investment for all countries of the world.
“Britain is one of the top investment partners of Bangladesh and both the countries maintain a deep relationship in this regard,” said Sheikh Hasina.
What are the steps Bangladesh taking to face the challenges of climate change, asked Andrew Gilligan.
Sheikh Hasina: “Though Bangladesh is going to be the worst victim of climate change, we are not at all responsible for that. The people of southern region of the country are going to be affected most. We, with our limited capacity, are trying to face the challenge.”
It is not possible to overcome the situation by Bangladesh alone, she observed and said: “We are campaigning for cooperation from world community in this connection.”
She mentioned that the country has already received some assistance from international community. “Now we are waiting for proper fulfilment of the pledges made by international community. And that will determine how far we shall be able to face the adverse effects of climate change.”
Sheikh Hasina mentioned the funds pledged in Cancun summit and said, “We have started our activities according to the pledges, and the rest is depends on the fulfilment of the pledges.”
For a safe future generation the whole world should give emphasis on climate-change issues and find proper ways of combat against the adverse effects of the climate change due to global warming, said Sheikh Hasina.
(Famous Channel 4 journalist, London Editor of the world-famous Telegraph newspaper and well-known international counter-terrorism media person Andrew Gulligan Friday interviewed visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Hotel Hilton suite in central London.)
Honorable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh(2nd term), was born on 28 September, 1947 at Tungipara under Gopalganj district. She is the eldest of five children of the Father of the NationBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of independent Bangladesh.
She graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1973. She was elected Vice President of the Students Union of Government Intermediate Girl’s College. She was a member of the students League Unit of Dhaka University and Secretary of the Students League Unit of Rokeya Hall. She actively participated in all the mass movements since her student life.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with the members of his family was martyred on the fateful night of 15 August 1975. Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were the only survivors as they were in West Germany at that time. Later she went to the United Kingdom from where she started her movement against the autocratic rule in 1980. Sheikh Hasina was unanimously elected President of Bangladesh Awami League in 1981 in her absence, while she was forced to live in exile in New Delhi. Ending six years in exile, she returned home finally on 17 May 1981.In the parliamentary election held in 1986, she won three seats. She was elected Leader of the Opposition. She led the historic mass movement in 1990 and announced the constitutional formula for peaceful transfer of power through Articles 51 and 56 of the Constitution.
Following the election of 1991 Sheikh Hasina became Leader of the Opposition in the country’s Fifth Parliament, She steered all the political parties in the parliament towards changing the Presidential system into the Parliamentary one.
Sheikh Hasina created awareness among the people and waged a struggle for Non-party Caretaker Government to ensure free and fair polls. Her movement reached the peak after a non-cooperation movement in March 1996 and the provision for Non-party Caretaker Government was incorporated in the Constitution.
At the call of Sheikh Hasina a large number of people of all walks of life expressed solidarity with the movement at the ‘Janatar Mancha’. In the Parliamentary election held on 12 June 1996, Bangladesh Awami League emerged as the majority party and she assumed the office of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 23 June 1996. After becoming the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasinaadopted a number of pragmatic policies for overall development of the nation including poverty alleviation. During the last four years her government achieved laudable success including signing of the historic 30 year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India, signing of historic peace Accord on Chittagong Hill Tracts and inauguration of the Bangabandhu Bridge on the river Jamuna.
Sheikh Hasina was conferred Degree of Doctor of Law by the Boston University of the USA on 6 February 1997 and Honorary Doctor of Law by the Waseda University of Japan on 4 July 1997. She was also conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Liberal Arts by University of Abertay Dundee of the United Kingdom on 25 October, 1997. She was conferred Honorary Degree of Desikottama (Doctor of Literature, honoris causa) by Visva-Bharati University of West Bengal, India on 28 January 1999. She was also conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on the ground of her distinguished creative contributions in the service of society by the Australian National University on 20 October 1999. Dhaka University conferred Honorary 'Doctor of Laws' degree to Sheikh Hasina on 18 December, 1999 for her outstanding contribution towards peace and democracy. The World famous Catholic University of Brussels, Belgium conferred Honorary Doctorate degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) on Sheikh Hasina on 04 February, 2000 for her decisive role in establishing democracy, protecting human rights and peace. Sheikh Hasina has been conferred Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the Bridgeport University, USA on 5 September, 2000.
Sheikh Hasina has been awarded UNESCO's Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize for 1998 for her remarkable contribution to bringing peace through ending the 25 years of conflict in Chittagong Hill Tracts with political courage and statesmanship.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received prestigious Pearl S. Buck Award '99 on 9 April 2000 in recognition of her vision, courage, achievements in political, economic and humanitarian fields by Randolph Macon Women's College of USA. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been awarded the prestigious CERES' medal to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recognition to her fight against hunger on 02 August, 1999. The All India Peace Council awarded her 'Mother Teresa Award' in 1998. The Mahatma M K Gandhi Foundation of Oslo, Norway awarded Sheikh Hasina ‘M K Gandhi Award’ for 1998 for her contribution towards promotion of communal understanding, non violent religions harmony and growth of democracy at the level of grassroots in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina was named Paul Haris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. She was also given Medal of Distinction in 1996-97 and 1998-99 and Head of State Medal in 1996-97 by the International Association of Lions Clubs.She has authored several books including "Why Are They Street Children", "The Origin of Autocracy", 'Miles to Go", "Elimination of Poverty and Some Thoughts", "People and Democracy", "My Dream My Struggle" and "Development for the Masses." She performed holy Hajj and Umrah several times. Sheikh Hasina is the Chairperson of "The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust". She has been helping a lot of poor boys and girls for their education.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, throughout her life has been a strong proponent of peace, freedom and democracy. From an early age, inspired by the lofty ideals and love for the people of her father,Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the liberator of Bangladesh, she developed a strong sense of identity for the common people. She always spoke out against oppression and violation of human rights. This commitment has hardened over the years, particularly when her parents, brothers and scores of relatives were brutally assassinated by the misguided members of the military in 1975 soon after the independence of Bangladesh. Since that time her resolve for democracy and development for the teeming millions of Bangladesh has become firmly entrenched. She struggled for the return of democracy in Bangladeshand fought valiantly for its establishment in the country in every possible manner. She was committed to making Parliament the centre of all national activities.
In 1996, the people of Bangladesh gave her a strong mandate as the Prime Minister of the country. Despite serious resource and constraints and recurrent natural calamity as well as widespread poverty, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the first two years of her government, has lived up to her unswerving commitment to the cause of peace, democracy, development and human rights.
Her first act of peace within months of her assumption of office was the initiative for resolution of the long-standing water-sharing dispute with India through a 30-years treaty. This put an end to a very complex regional dispute.
Her visionary idea of a business summit among the political and private sector leaders of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan has added a new chapter in the history of South Asia. Her dedicated leadership also made possible a peace agreement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, thereby solving the 23-year old insurgency in the Hill districts of Bangladesh. This peace accord brought an area inhabited by nearly 5 million people out of violence and into a time of peace and development. Though the international media has not given much prominence to this accord, it is uniquely remarkable because the peace accord benefited such a large number of people and the whole area has been brought under development programs following the complete surrender of arms by the insurgents.Her quest for peace has taken her to India and Pakistan to talk to the leaders of these two countries soon after the nuclear test urging reduction of tension in the region.
Prime Minister Hasina has been a strong advocate for the Culture of Peace at global, regional and national levels. In many major conferences, she espoused the concept of the Culture of Peace, most recently in South Africa at the 12th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which has a membership of 114 countries. Her initiative has resulted in the first-ever resolution by the Plenary of the United Nations General Assembly on the Culture of Peace. She also provided leadership for the declaration by the UN of the period 2001 to 2010 as the International Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. Prime Minister Hasina’s determination for the eradication of poverty, in particular through wide-ranging microcredit programmes, has been recognized world-wide. Her co-chairpersonship of the Microcredit Summit in February 1997 which resolved to bring 100 million families of the world out of poverty by 2005 focused world attention to her strong commitment to the eradication of poverty and enlistment of the poorest of the poor. She has been a champion of microcredit by spreading the message in major international forums. Her leadership led to the adoption for the first time by UN General Assembly a far-reaching resolution on the role of microcredit in the eradication of poverty. Along with poverty eradication, she has focused on the empowerment of women and has successfully completed legislation to ensure adequate representation of women in the local government bodies, leading to the election of more than 14,000 women to these bodies in 1997. She has taken major initiatives to stop violence against women and children.
She has also provided leadership in the field of education, particularly for the education of girls in her own country as well as advocating it for global support. Her government has greatly enhanced budgetary allocation for primary education focusing on girls’ education.
To improve the quality of life of the people of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has particularly focused on human development, paying special attention to healthcare, family planning, nutrition, women’s rights and survival and development of children. At the UN and other forums, she has been a major voice in support of the cause of children and their rights.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has, all along her life, defended human rights in every possible way. Her active promotion of the rights of women and children has drawn appreciation by both of government and NGOs as well as international organizations. She has promoted the right to development as having centrality in the human rights regime. At the NAM Summit in South Africa in 1998, her proposal for a Convention on the Right to Development received welcoming endorsement of the Heads of State and Government. She initiated the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission and the office of Ombudsperson as well as Bangladesh’s recent accession to six major human rights instruments including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Her keen interest resulted in the signature by Bangladesh of the Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ratification of the Landmines Treaty, being the first country in South Asia to do so. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s initiative resulted in the hosting of the first-ever conference of the Asian parliamentarians devoted to peace and cooperation in Dhaka in September 1999 which elected her as the first President of the Association of Asian Parliaments for peace established at the conference.
At present, as someone who has lost so much personally and has been a victim of oppression and denial of freedom, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stands out as a messenger of peace, democracy, development and human rights. Her leadership of the eighth largest country of the world manifests her concern for the people, seen again during the worst-ever floods in Bangladesh in 1998.
§ Sheikh Hasina is the recipient of the UNESCO Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize for 1998 for her role in bringing peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh.
§ Sheikh Hasina has been awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Award for 1998 (Oslo, Norway) for her contribution towards promotion of communal understanding, non-violence, religious harmony and growth of grassroots democracy in Bangladesh.
§ She has been awarded 1999 CERES Medal for contribution to the agriculture development by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
§ She is the winner of the 1999 Pearl S. Buck Award for "your vision, your courage and your achievements in political, economic and humanitarian spheres capture the spirit of the award and of the woman who inspired it."
§ She has been awarded honorary Doctor of Liberal Arts by the University of Alberta Dundee in the United Kingdom in October 1997.
§ She has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by the Boston University in the United States and the Waseda University of Japan.
§ She has been conferred the degree of Desikottama (Doctor of Literature) by the Visva-Bharati University, India founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
§ She has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by the Australian National University in October 1999.
§ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by Dhaka University in December 1999.
§ She has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws by the Catholic University of Brussels in February 2000.
§ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred by the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for her contribution to world peace and development by the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut in the United States on 5 September 2000.
Under her leadership her party Bangladesh Awami League led grand alliance to win a landslide victory in the 9th Parliament Election on December 29, 2008 with 262 seats out of 299 in the National Parliament.
Sheikh Hasina took oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh (2nd term) at a ceremony held at Banghabhaban on January 06, 2009.
Political Profile of Sheikh Hasina
"We want to form the government after the elections on the basis of national consensus. We want to build a society free from terrorism, corruption and poverty. We want to fully equip the nation with the ability to enter the 21st century along with other developed countries of the world", Sheikh Hasina announced in her election manifesto on 10 May 1996. Then came the June 12 parliamentary elections. The Bangladesh Awami League, under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina, won a majority of seats in Parliament and formed the government on June 23.
June 23, 1996 is not merely the day on which Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the founding father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Muiibur Rahman, was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. On this day, the people of Bangladesh once again perceived the outcome of their right to freely elect their representatives. After 21 years of ruthless oppression, free-wheeling corruption and overt and covert martial law, democracy has finally been restored.
On the day of the cruel assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, along with members of his family, Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana escaped the gruesome act as they were away from the country. After the tragedy Sheikh Hasina was forced to remain outside the country. but she continued to work for unifying the Bangalees at home and abroad for launching an all-pervasive democratic movement. On May 17, 1981 after nearly six years in exile, Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangladesh as the President of Bangladesh Awami League. She was then only 33 years old. Ever since that day, she has constantly been fighting to establish the rights of the people of Bangladesh. She had to struggle for 15 long years to prepare and lead the Awami League for the task of carrying out a ceaseless political movement for the restoration of democracy in the country. Throughout this difficult struggle, the poor masses of Bangladesh stood firmly beside her.
The dream that had once seemed impossible became a reality on March 30. A popular upsurge forced the autocratic regime to surrender to the people's demand for holding national elections under a neutral caretaker government. The pioneer of the movement was Sheikh Hasina, a relentless fighter, carrying forward the legacy of her illustrious father Bangabandhu Sheikh Muiibur Rahman. Sheikh Hasina dedicated 15 years of her life fighting for restoration of the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh. Her indomitable spirit, political farsightedness and complete devotion to the cause of the people finally helped efface the legacy of military coups, political murder and oppressive regimes.
Throughout her college and university years Sheikh Hasina actively participated in political movements. The death of her father on August 15, 1975 was the turning point in her career. The brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many of his family members placed the hope for the country's future in his two exiled daughters— Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana.
The impact of the coup on Bangladesh was quick and powerful. It placed the country completely at the mercy of some ambitious and greedy generals and changed the course of the history of Bangladesh. What happened was not just a change of government. The coup leaders attempted to transform a democratic nation into a military oligarchy. The pro-Pakistan forces, which had suffered an ignominious defeat in the War of Liberation in 1971, regained control of the government and introduced policies to undermine the democratic and secular ideals and values which the Bangalees had firmly cherished and upheld, and which had inspired the creation of Bangladesh. The first move was the imposition of Martial Law to deprive the people of their democratic rights. This was followed by concerted efforts at breaking the spirit of the to struggle. Murders, unlawful imprisonment and tortures sponsored by the then government followed.
Bangabandhu's entire life was dedicated to the emancipation of the people of Bangladesh. All the dreams he had cherished throughout the turmoil of his life blossomed around the somnolent. The volcanic potential of the life of the people of this land manifested in his struggle. He could not have enough time to take care of his family. Bangabandhu's wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa took care of their children and family, and at times even of party matters in his absence. Her father's ideals, family traditions and a strong personality, coupled with her mother's guidance, helped Sheikh Hasina get transformed into the great leader that she is today.
She had been keen in politics since the beginning of her life. In her own words, "I have been associated with the political ups and downs of the country and with the Awami League since my childhood. I witnessed the unbearable oppression suffered by my father and his colleagues during the democratic movements. My father spent most of his life in prison. Whenever he was free, he used to remain busy with political activities and in organizing the party. I have seen my mother guide the party along with other leaders in the absence of my father, and carry out his plans while he was in prison. My first lesson in politics came out of my family atmosphere. The first time I directly got involved in politics was when the country was in political turmoil demanding autonomy and democracy. Later, I fully participated in the students' movement in 1962. Political unrest was widespread among students in 1962. Students, workers, farmers and ordinary people came out on the streets with their political and economic demands. I attended meetings and took part in processions against the undemocratic and anti-people Pakistani rulers. No conscious Bangalee could remain aloof from the political mainstream during those tumultuous days in the sixties. I too could not keep myself away from the path of revolution and resistance".
Soon after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family, Sheikh Hasina began to communicate with party workers while living outside Bangladesh. Despite being forced to remain in exile, on August 15, 1980 she attended a huge political rally in London, on the occasion of the observance of the fifth anniversary of the death of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Soon after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family, Sheikh Hasina began to communicate with party workers while living outside Bangladesh. Despite being forced to remain in exile, on August 15, 1980, she attended a huge political rally in London, on the occasion of the observance of the fifth anniversary of the death of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina's first speech in York Hall established her as a political leader. Then in 1981, still in exile, Sheikh Hasina was made the president, in absentia, of the largest political party of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Awami League. Within a very short period of time she proved to be as charismatic a leader as her father had been. Keeping in mind her father's hopes and dreams for the country, she began to speak out against the oppressive military rulers in an attempt to establish the democratic rights of the people.
It was Sheikh Hasina's unbounded courage and inner strength of personality that sustained her during the traumatic period that followed her return to Bangladesh in 1981. It was not an easy task for a young woman who had been stranded for years with her husband and small children in a foreign country. A hostile government persecuted all those who were loyal to her father and the Awami League. Nevertheless, Sheikh Hasina's courage did not fail her, nor did she lose faith in the future of Bangladesh. Her profound commitment to Bangalee nationalism, secular values and democratic ideals fortified her morale, during those lonely years of her life. In the manner of her illustrious father Sheikh Hasina's deep love for the people of Bangladesh was combined with the conviction that the voice of the people would ultimately be heard. After the initial period of shock and mourning, she began to mobilise and organise Bangalees at home and abroad, especially inspiring those who had lost all hope in the future of Bangladesh. The people responded and welcomed the daughter of democracy with open arms and renewed hope.
In 1981, the Bangladesh Awami League, reeling under the assault of the military regime of General Ziaur Rahman, invited Sheikh Hasina to assume the leadership of the party that had led the country through its war of independence in 1971. She accepted the challenge and returned to a hearty welcome by millions of followers of Bangabandhu. Since that memorable day, as the President of the Awami League, she led the party through a period of reorganisation and rehabilitation. Sheikh Hasina suffered imprisonment several times, fought two national elections and led a massive popular movement through which she ousted an autocratic military dictator from power.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League spearheaded a struggle against the despotic rulers. She initiated and led an uncompromising movement against the military dictators in an attempt to bring democracy back to Bangladesh.
In 1982, she was the first to raise the voice of protest against assumption of state power through military coups d'etat. Taking great risk, she put tremendous pressure on Ershad's regime to end martial law and hold free and fair elections. Though political activities were banned at that time the Awami League was the only political party that had the courage to demand democratic rights for the people of Bangladesh. In 1983, Sheikh Hasina formed a 15 party alliance from which grew a powerful student movement protesting against the military government. On February 14, 1983 the army entered the Dhaka University campus and fired bullets and used batons to quell the agitating students. On February 15, as she protested the inhuman act through organising a peaceful rally at the Shahid Minar (the memorial for the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952), Sheikh Hasina was arrested and taken blindfolded to Dhaka cantonment along with her associates. She was kept incommunicado for 15 days. In October 1983, Sheikh Hasina said, "The tactics previously applied to usurp the office of the President since the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been adopted once again by General Ershad. The process is, first, staging a coup d'etat, then consolidating power and finally declaring the usurper as President. If the usurper goes to the electorate after he captures power, the result of the election is determined beforehand in his favour. As a result, political instability persists. That is why we demand that state power be handed over to the elected representatives of the people".
Thereafter, she had to suffer confinement time and again. In 1984 she was put under house arrest in February and then again in November. In March 1985, she was put under house arrest for three months at a stretch. On March 26, 1986 in a statement issued in Dhaka on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said that her party would participate in the general elections as part of its movement to put an end to the politics of "coups, killings, conspiracies and martial law". She also said, "We want to have elections not only to form the next government but also to establish a system that represents the people as well".
Sheikh Hasina became Leader of the Opposition in Parliament commanding the support of 104 elected MPs belonging to her party and alliance. As the youngest Leader of the Opposition she demonstrated her political acumen and sagacity in and outside Parliament. She forced the treasury bench to withdraw a number of bills which went against the fundamental rights of the people. Sheikh Hasina remained Leader of the Opposition until the dissolution of Parliament by General Ershad in December 1987.
In October 1986, Sheikh Hasina, in defiance of marital law, addressed a huge rally in Bogra. On her way from Bogra to Rajshahi, she was detained and forcibly sent back to Dhaka. On November 11, 1987 she was again put under house arrest for a month, despite her being the leader of the opposition in Parliament at the time. During a demonstration in front of the government secretariat on November I0, 1987 the police opened fire on Sheikh Hasina and tried to lift her car with a crane while she was leaving the National Press Club. In the face of strong resistance from the people, the police failed to arrest her and she was able to slip out of the car. On January 24, 1988, while addressing a public meeting in Chittagong, police fired on the crowd, killing nearly 80 people and narrowly missing Sheikh Hasina and her aides. Undeterred by these threats on her life, she went on touring the country from one end to the other to inspire and motivate the people to defend their democratic rights.
Sheikh Hasina took a resolute stand against military rule from the day she returned to Bangladesh. Since then, she never compromised on her commitment to the people. Her 15 year long struggle against military rule was crowned with success when the last military dictator had to surrender power in ignominy.
Today, Sheikh Hasina stands transformed from the political fugitive as she was in 1975, to be in the center of the political life of the nation, pioneering the struggle to re-establish the ideals for which millions of Bangalees fought and died. Sheikh Hasina steered the historic mass movement which toppled the autocratic regime of General Ershad and forced him to transfer power through constitutional means. At a huge public meeting in Dhaka on November 6, 1990 Sheikh Hasina announced the constitutional formula for the peaceful transfer of power in accordance with Articles 51 and 56 of the Constitution. This was eventually accepted by the entire nation. On November 27, 1990 Sheikh Hasina was again confined in Bangabandhu Bhaban following the proclamation of a state of emergency. But the government was forced to release her the same day, in the face of a mass protest against her arrest. On December 4, 1990 General Ershad was compelled to step down and accept the demand of the people following a 24 hour ultimatum Issued by Sheikh Hasina.
It was a matter of great disappointment, however, that her party did not get an absolute majority in Parliament in the 1991 national elections. the Awami League received 38% of the popular vote and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party received 31%.
Sheikh Hasina's accomplishments as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament drew the admiration of the entire nation. As in the past, she stood firmly on the side of the people on every issue in which the interests of the people were involved. She observed how the Presidential System had been abused by previous leaders. Sheikh Hasina steered all the political parties towards a parliamentary system which eventually had to be accepted by the BNP government. Indeed, it was due to her initiative and leadership that today the nation has been able to attain its goal of establishing a parliamentary form of government.
Sheikh Hasina has always stood by the poor masses of Bangladesh. In 1992, she launched a nationwide campaign to help the farmers and workers who had been suffering from negligence and indifference under the BNP government. In 1995, peasants raised their protest against an artificial fertilizer crisis created by the BNP leaders and their henchmen, which resulted in the death of 18 peasants in police firing. Sheikh Hasina reacted sharply in support of the poor peasants and mobilised a strong peasant movement across the country to protect their interest. Soon after, the BNP government killed 17 workers who had been agitating against the closure of several hundred mills and factories. Sheikh Hasina rushed to the aid of the workers to share their concerns and helped them to unite in the defense of their rights.
In August 1995, a teen-aged girl Yasmin was raped and brutally killed by a gang of policemen in Dinajpur. Seeing no justice being done a group of people surrounded the police station and demanded justice. The police opened fire and killed seven of the protesters. Sheikh Hasina strongly protested against this cruelty and, using the example of the Dinajpur incident aroused public awareness about similar crimes committed by the BNP government. This led to an enormous public reaction against the BNP all over Bangladesh.
As Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Sheikh Hasina always upheld the interest of the people and the cause of democracy. Witnessing what happened during the previous by-elections Sheikh Hasina began to demand the creation of a permanent system which would ensure free and fair elections in the country. She demanded the resignation of the BNP government and proposed the establishment of a non-party, neutral, caretaker government to conduct national election.
In 1994, Sheikh Hasina succeeded in organising a campaign that brought together other major opposition parties closer to hers in the movement for democracy. When all negotiations with the government failed, the opposition members in Parliament resigned on December 28, 1994. Sheikh Hasina launched a renewed movement demanding that general elections be held under a neutral caretaker government. The movement gained momentum when the BNP held polls on February 15, 1996 which was boycotted by all political parties. The boycott was universally supported and the turnout of voters was as low as 5%. On March 9, 1996 Sheikh Hasina declared a non-cooperation movement against the BNP government. People from all strata of society along with government officials and employees fully cooperated with the movement. As the non-cooperation movement approached a climax, at the directive of Sheikh Hasina, the 'Janatar Mancha' i.e. people's platform, was organised in Dhaka. Thousands of people from all walks of life expressed their solidarity with the movement. This turned out to be the final blow to the BNP government, and on March 30, 1996 the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was forced to resign and a non-party caretaker government was formed. Even the most virulent of her critics were compelled to congratulate Sheikh Hasina on her political sagacity in the creation of a neutral caretaker government and her successful exercise of leadership in mobilising popular support. The idea of a neutral caretaker government is seen by political observers as a significant contribution of Sheikh Hasina to the cause of democracy. Political thinkers feel that this system may be applied to other Third World countries in future.
Sheikh Hasina has made it clear at various points of time that she would continue her struggle for the economic emancipation of the poor masses. This has always been her fundamental political objective. She has often said, "The rich minority of the people must stop exploiting the poor majority". Sheikh Hasina has vowed to eliminate corruption. According to her, " Corruption at the top levels of government is the root of many evils in society". She believes that corruption can be checked at all levels only if corrupt government leaders are dealt with an iron hand.
Sheikh Hasina's courage and charisma have often invited attempts on her life. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on her residence several times. On September 11, 1991 during the parliamentary by-elections, a group of armed BNP hooligans shot at her. The bullet narrowly missed her. During her Train March in 1994, gunmen opened fire on her compartment at Ishurdi railway station. In the last anti-government movement, Sheikh Hasina's rallies were attacked by BNP activists, who opened fire and hurled bombs to disrupt those meetings. However, defying such attacks, she boldly addressed the rallies and declared that if the Awami League could form the government, it would eliminate terrorism from society. No threat could deter her from the struggle to achieve the right to vote and bring about economic emancipation of the people.
Despite the heavy responsibilities of being the leader of the largest political party in the country, Sheikh Hasina has also been working tirelessly to promote international peace, disarmament, racial harmony, goodwill and fraternity among nations. In 1984, she attended the Sixth Congress of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation (AAPSO) in Algiers as a special guest. At the invitation of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, Sheikh Hasina visited the PLO headquarters in Tunisia in 1985 and exchanged views with PLO leaders on international affairs and matters of mutual interest.
Sheikh Hasina was also a special quest at the First Eleanor Roosevelt International Caucus of Women Political Leaders, organised by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in San Francisco in 1987. In 1988, she delivered the keynote speech on Disarmament and Development at the Seventh Congress of Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation in New Delhi. In 1988, Sheikh Hasina attended the meeting of the Presidium Committee of the World Peace Council in Prague as a member of the Presidium of the World Peace Council. She was a special guest at an international seminar held in Dhaka by Bangladesh Peace Council in 1992. She also attended the Convention of the Democratic Party in New York in 1992.
Sheikh Hasina has also been very active in the promotion of bilateral relations in the South Asian region. She has visited India on a number of occasions for deliberation with its leaders on bilateral problems. As a special guest, she visited Katmandu in 1992 to attend an International Seminar on Lord Buddha organised by the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship and Cultural Association. She attended a meeting of the Leaders of the Opposition of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) held in Karachi in 1992. On November 5, 1993 she visited China as Leader of the Opposition where she discussed bilateral and multilateral issues relating to agricultural and industrial development of Bangladesh with Chinese co-operation.
Sheikh Hasina has been an active participant in promoting the cause of Human Rights as well as the rights of women. In June 1993, she addressed the NGO conference held in Vienna prior to the Second World Congress on Human Rights. She visited Washington D.C. on February 2, 1994 in response to an invitation of the Chairman of the Congressional Executive Committee to the National Prayer Breakfast. In March, 1994 while visiting India, she met with the Prime Minister of India and discussed the issue of sharing of the Ganges waters and demanded a reasonable solution. She also demanded that the "Tin Bigha Corridor" should remain open for the citizens of Bangladesh round the clock. In May 1994, she attended the Socialist International Seminar in Tokyo, Japan. In 1994, she was elected Vice President of the Eastern Vision Forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Sheikh Hasina has dedicated her life to the difficult and often dangerous task of crusading for democracy In her country, rather than opting for a safe and comfortable life abroad. In February 1996, an English news commentary broadcast on the BBC World Service programme described Sheikh Hasina as an 'Iron Lady' for her uncompromising stand on the issue of the democratic rights of the people.
In the midst of her pre-occupation with the day-to-day responsibilities as president of the Awami League and Leader of the Opposition, she never lost sight of her goals, nor did she falter in her firm commitment to the cause of freedom and human rights.
Now, at the apex of her political life, Sheikh Hasina is an outstanding Third World leader who has made great contributions in enlarging the scope of freedom for the people and enriching the human spirit. Today, Sheikh Hasina ranks first and foremost among the political leaders in Bangladesh. It is because of her leadership that she has successfully been able to lead her party through a relentless mass movement in ousting a military autocratic regime. Hers is the voice of the people, of reason and pragmatism. She is always graceful even after hectic organisational activities. She is a person with vision and balanced approach to life. An ardent protagonist of the parliamentary form of government, Sheikh Hasina believes in a mixed economy and healthy competition between the public and the private sectors. She is in full agreement with the essence of the foreign policy expounded by her father— "Friendship to all, malice to none".
"I have taken a vow to transform this country into a politically stable one. Deep in my heart, I believe that economic development that changes people's fate can come only through political stability." Sheikh Hasina has said, adding, "My political aim is to ensure the people's right to ballot and bread. I want to start from the grassroots, where the majority of the poorest of the poor live in inhuman conditions".
Sheikh Hasina's life has been dedicated to the people of Bangladesh. Her political ambitions begin and end with the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. Her goal is to fulfill her father's dream of building a golden Bangladesh, "Sonar Bangla". Her political aim is the establishment of a free, just and caring society. Sheikh Hasina has often said, "If I have to lay down my life like my father, I am ready for it".
It was Sheikh Hasina's unswerving commitment to democratic ideals and secular values which made her a symbol of the aspirations of the people. She launched her crusade for the restoration of democracy in the country right from the time she touched the soil of Bangladesh in 1981. Defying the then President General Ziaur Rahman's autocratic rule, she declared, "I have nothing to lose. I pledge to fight for the restoration of democracy in the country and the fundamental rights of my people". She has adhered to her promise.
Two decades of military and quasi-military rule destroyed the existing democratic institutions of the country. They also created a lumpen class at the helm of affairs of the state, who plundered the economy, destroyed values, crippled the education system and corrupted the society. Hardly any civil institution was left unscathed by all pervasive greed and hatred perpetuated by the Generals and their civil-military cronies.
Sheikh Hasina knew well that it would be a daunting task on her part to revive the shattered democratic institutions, if her party was voted to power in the June 12, 1996 national elections. Keeping this in mind, she made it categorically clear in her election manifesto that if the Awami League won the elections she would form a government of national consensus with a view to clearing the refuse and waste that had piled up in society during two decades of misrule.
After assuming power as Prime Minister on June 23, 1996 she re-assured the nation of her election commitments by inducting ministers from the Jatiya Party (JP) and the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) in her newly formed cabinet. Later, she inducted two ministers from the BNP in her cabinet. Regarding the economic policy of her government, she reiterated the prime need for alleviation of poverty through creation of maximum employment opportunity, both in rural and urban areas, especially in the predominantly agricultural sector.
In her first address to the nation after becoming Prime Minister, she said that peasants, who are the mainstay of the economy, would be rendered all possible support in the form of supply of agro-inputs, fertilizer, seeds, pesticides and irrigation equipment at low price, if need be, through price subsidy. She also reconfirmed that her government of national consensus would stick to its announced policy of pursuing a free-market economy by allowing the forces of demand and supply to determine the economic equilibrium. She also made emphatic mention of her government's policy of carrying out necessary structural reforms in the economy to put it at par with the global economic system.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urges Freedom Fighters:
Remain alert against anti-state conspiracies
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon the freedom fighters to remain alert against conspiracies being hatched by the war criminals and anti- liberation forces against the country.
"The trial of the war criminals would be held in the country foiling all sorts of conspiracies," a determined Sheikh Hasina said when the newly elected office bearers of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Command Council called on her at her office in Dhaka on Wednesday noon.
President of the council Major General (retd) Helal Morshed Khan, Bir Bikram, led the delegation, said Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad after the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the anti- liberation defeated forces who could not accept our victory in 1971 so far have been hatching conspiracies against the independent Bangladesh.
She said their conspiracy to foil the trial process of the war criminals must go futile as the people of the country want trial of the criminals who perpetrated crimes against humanity during the country's Great War of Liberation in 1971.
The process of trial of the war criminals has already been started and they would be tried on the soil of Bangladesh, she said and sought cooperation of the freedom fighters in this regard.
Mentioning various programmes undertaken by her government for the welfare of the freedom fighters and their families, Sheikh Hasina said the present Awami League government has been working relentlessly for the betterment of the freedom fighters.
The government is implementing various projects involving over Taka 200 crore for the welfare of the valiant sons of the soil who fought risking their life during the country's nine- month long War of Liberation.
In this context, she requested the well-off section of the freedom fighters to help their distressed and poor colleagues as it is not possible for the government alone to ensure their welfare
Referring to random distortion of the history of War of Liberation, the Prime Ministersaid the successive rulers after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 deliberately distorted the history to stay in power.
The new generation was deprived of the real history of War of Liberation in a planned way and now the younger generation had become very much enthusiastic to know the actual history of War of Liberation and as a result they massively cast their vote for Awami League during the last general elections, she added.
The Prime Minister said the image of the country was tarnished abroad during the last four-party alliance government through militancy, terrorism and corruption and the present government due its relentless efforts could manage to restore it and this trend should continue.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the command council in 1973 and gave huge property including various institutions for the Muktijoddha Welfare Trust but actually deserving freedom fighters could not reap benefit form it.
She said after the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975, these institutions were made unprofitable as part of conspiracy that eventually deprived the freedom fighters to benefit from those establishments.
On the direct election of Muktijoddha Command Council for the first time in Bangladesh this year, Sheikh Hasina said she herself wanted direct election of the command council for electing the real leaders who could work for the welfare of the freedom fighters instead of own welfare.
The Prime Minister congratulated the newly elected leaders and urged them to work for the welfare of the freedom fighters so that no freedom fighters remain hungry and distressed. "I don't want to see that freedom fighters are suffering from lack of food and shelter," she said.
She also called upon the Affluent Freedom Fighters To Stand Beside The Insolvent Ones.
PM Sheikh Hasina slams BNP for calling Hartal
Has BNP called hartal against the government or the court that in its verdict declared the caretaker government system illegal?” sheikh Hasina questionedJune 03,2011Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday castigated the main opposition BNP for calling a countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal on Sunday to “protest against cancellation of the caretaker government system”. “Has BNP called hartal against the government or the court that in its verdict declared the caretaker government system illegal?” she questioned when a delegation of Niloy-Nitol and IPSSL groups called on her at her office here Thursday afternoon. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict on caretaker government system, she said that the government has nothing to do but comply with the verdict of the country’s apex court. The Prime Minister said the Election Commission (EC) will be strengthened so that it could conduct the polling and perform other activities independently. She said e-voting would also be introduced to hold a free, fair and neutral election. Sheikh Hasina also referred to various programmes of her government to ensure food security in the country through increasing agricultural production. When the delegation expressed keen interest to produce crops by taking lease of farmland in different countries, especially in some African countries, the Prime Minister said that her government would provide all-out support to this end. She said this initiative by the private sector will help create job opportunities for the Bangladeshi people abroad. On business issue, Sheikh Hasina said businessmen in the country feel good as they can run their business smoothly when Awami League is in power. At the outset of the meeting, the delegation members welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on caretaker government system and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her government’s stance to comply with the court’s judgment.After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed the newsmen. Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Food Minister Dr Abdur Razzak, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Moshiur Rahman and State Minister for Forests and Environment Dr Hasan Mahmud and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.
No religion, no territory for militants, terrorists:
PM Sheikh HasinaPM’s Interview with Telegraph
As the recent arrest of some Bangladeshi-origin Britons as terror suspects created a stir, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made it clear that extremist militants and terrorists do not have any religion nor do they have territorial bounds.“They can do their job anywhere, anytime,” she said in an exhaustive interview covering all issues and challenges Bangladesh facing as well as achievements the country attained—ranging from politics, trade and investment, and war crimes trial to climate change battle plan. In the 40-minute-long interview Sheikh Hasina spoke to the renowned British journalists on a wide range of issues like human rights, Rab training and ‘crossfire’, war crimes tribunal, bringing back war criminals from abroad, arrest of Bangladeshi nationals as terror suspects in the UK, political rehabilitation of Jamaat leaders in London and so on. British investment in Bangladesh, development of Bangladesh in information technology, the role of government in fighting poverty, food security, Bangladesh stand in favour of world peace, practice of democracy, freedom of speech, Bangladesh’s desire to the world community on climate change, bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh also came up for discussion. The discussion began with the issue of recent arrest of few Bangladeshi youths in the UK as terror suspects. To answer a question in this connection Sheikh Hasina said, “There is no religion and no territory for the extremist militants. The only religion they follow is terrorism. The whole world is their geographical territory. So we should not mix up the identity of such terrorists with their nationality. The only identity they bear is they are terrorists. I don’t think accusing a country or a religion would be the right thing as regards the misdeeds of these terrorists.”
Asked about a recent comment of a Bangladeshi minister in London that terrorists from Britain could go to Bangladesh and get involved in terrorism there as well, Sheikh Hasina said, “I have said extremist militants and terrorists don’t have any religion or territory. They can do their job anywhere, anytime.”
Britain-Bangladesh joint collaboration can end such problems, she viewed about the way of tackling the common problem of transnational terrorism.
Jamaat-e-Islami is now more active in Britain than in Bangladesh, why? Andrew Gilligan asked Sheikh Hasina. She answered: It is the British government who should look into the matter, not us. Due to anti-liberation role during the War of Liberation many supporters later came to Britain and, maybe, taking the opportunity of freedom of expression they have established their position in this country, Hasina opined.
She said, “As the people of Bangladesh are motivated with their spirit of peace, progress and secularism, the parties like Jamaat-e-Islami are not being able to have their stronghold in the country.”
Asked whether she is satisfied with the steps taken by Britain in curbing extremism Sheikh Hasina said, “We are trying to face the problem through bilateral cooperation. I think through the exchange of information both the countries are being benefited.”
There are allegations that few identified war criminals of Bangladesh are hiding in Britain. Would there be any effort to take them back to the country to face the war crimes tribunal? To answer this question from Andrew Gilligan the Bangladeshi prime minister said, “War crimes tribunal is working independently. It is a matter of tribunal’s decision, when and whom it will summon. The only thing our government wants from the tribunal is a fair, transparent, well-accepted and international-standard trial of the criminals.”
Asked whether the government faces any difficulty in conducting the war crimes trial, Hasina said, “Problems are always there. Our opposition party has a support for this defeated force of the War of Liberation. But the support we are getting from the mass people of Bangladesh in favour of the trial, I firmly believe, that will enable us to complete it in time.”
She went on, “There are allegations that a group of war criminals, who took shelter in Britain in the pre-liberation period, are trying to hinder the trial process. We find the force is active both in Bangladesh and Britain.”
Why the tribunal after long forty years? Asked Andrew Gulligan.
Sheikh Hasina: “After liberation, in 1973 an effort was taken by the then government of Bangladesh to try the war criminals through enacting the War Crimes Act ‘73. But, after military ruler Ziaur Rahman came to power through killing Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, the trial process stopped.”
Moreover, she added, many identified war criminals were politically rehabilitated during that regime. These allowed the anti-liberation force to be organised again. The country started witnessing politics of killing and terrorism. In the name of democracy a martial-law administration was imposed upon the people of the country.
“Freedom of speech and individual freedom were taken away. Through the demolition of democratic institutions, resulted from a long struggle and sacrifice, the country started facing an anarchic situation.”
The prime minister said, “During 40 years of post-liberation period, the Awami League remained in power for only 10 years. And by overcoming the situation caused by the present opposition party and its main collaborator anti-liberation force it took us 40 years to re-start the trial.”
“War crimes against a nation never end, let alone in forty years,” she said in support of her government’s belated step.
Sheikh Hasina cited the recent trial process of the 2nd World War criminals—the historic Nuremberg trial of German Nazis.
How long the tribunal will take to finish the trial? Asked Gulligan.
The prime minister said, “It absolutely depends on the tribunal. From the government part we have told them that the people of the country want to see a transparent, well accepted and international standard trial. And the tribunal is free to take time to ensure that.”
To answer another query from the British journalist regarding extremist groups’ threats of terrorism and role of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said, “Spirit of secularism is a thousand years’ heritage of the Bangalee. We are a peace-loving nation. As a country of liberal Muslim majority with equal and friendly living condition for people of all religions, we never provide shelter to any evil force.”
As a country of South Asia Bangladesh firmly stands for regional peace, Hasina said, adding: “We want to see peace in South Asia and also across the world.”
She mentioned the peace process in Chittagong Hill Tracts initiated in 1996 and successful establishment of peace in the troubled hills without assistance from any third party. “Through signing peace accord we ensured a breeze of peace among the ethnic groups in the CHT,” Sheikh Hasina said.
To a question from Andrew Gilligan regarding extra-judicial killings by the Rapid Action Battalion, Sheikh Hasina said Rab was introduced in 2004 during the regime of BNP-Jamaat coalition government. “From the very begging of its inception Rab started extra-judicial killings. And in those days I was more vocal against such killings.”
Sheikh Hasina said some newspapers are nowadays more aggressive against such killings, which was absent during the “massive violation of human rights by Rab immediately after its introduction”.
She said, “I am not disagreeing that 1/2 such incidents of violation of human rights are happening. But all must understand that it takes time to change a long-running practice of a disciplined force.
“During the BNP-Jamaat alliance government, there were mountain-sized allegations of human rights violation against Rab. Our government is trying to bring the elite force back from those allegations—and such violations are being stopped phase by phase. But we must be given time for that.”
Mentioning the training of Rab offered by British government the prime minister raised the question: “Does the British government provide training without checking allegations of human rights violation? Definitely not.”
What are the main challenges in front of the government? To answer the question of Andrew Gilligan, the Bangladeshi prime minister said, “We have identified our enemy and that is poverty. We have to fight against poverty. And that is the biggest challenge facing us. We are giving priority to economic progress, food security, development of information technology, etc.”
She viewed: “In a democratic society there may have different parties and opinions. But, for the national cause, we must have to work together.”
In this connection Sheikh Hasina mentioned that her government ensures freedom of speech in the country. “At least 335 newspapers are being published in the country, new television channels are also being approved,” she said.
“The media can help in creating public awareness and identifying problems in society. Due to free flow of information the people of the country now can understand the difference between light and darkness,” Sheikh Hasina said.
Judiciary, Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission—all these are working independently, she added.
Mentioning recent development of Bangladesh in the field of information technology Hasina said, “People in the remotest parts of Bangladesh are now using mobile telephone. Poor farmers are being given agri-loan in time in digital process, online tender system has been introduced to ensure transparency and use of information technologies in the village level in Bangladesh is no more a dream—it is a reality now.”
To a query on foreign investment in Bangladesh the prime minister said her government opened the door of investment for all countries of the world.
“Britain is one of the top investment partners of Bangladesh and both the countries maintain a deep relationship in this regard,” said Sheikh Hasina.
What are the steps Bangladesh taking to face the challenges of climate change, asked Andrew Gilligan.
Sheikh Hasina: “Though Bangladesh is going to be the worst victim of climate change, we are not at all responsible for that. The people of southern region of the country are going to be affected most. We, with our limited capacity, are trying to face the challenge.”
It is not possible to overcome the situation by Bangladesh alone, she observed and said: “We are campaigning for cooperation from world community in this connection.”
She mentioned that the country has already received some assistance from international community. “Now we are waiting for proper fulfilment of the pledges made by international community. And that will determine how far we shall be able to face the adverse effects of climate change.”
Sheikh Hasina mentioned the funds pledged in Cancun summit and said, “We have started our activities according to the pledges, and the rest is depends on the fulfilment of the pledges.”
For a safe future generation the whole world should give emphasis on climate-change issues and find proper ways of combat against the adverse effects of the climate change due to global warming, said Sheikh Hasina.
(Famous Channel 4 journalist, London Editor of the world-famous Telegraph newspaper and well-known international counter-terrorism media person Andrew Gulligan Friday interviewed visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Hotel Hilton suite in central London.)