Meeting of Sheikh Hasina with Commonwealth Secretary General - Media Statement

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon met Bangladesh Awami Leauge leader Sheikh Hasina on Thursday as part of his ongoing interaction with the country’s political leaders. The Secretary-General also visited Bangladesh in March 2007 and had meetings with representatives of the Caretaker Government and political parties at that time.

The Secretary-General has constantly emphasised the need for credible elections in Bangladesh as soon as possible. When in Dhaka, he stressed to the Caretaker Government that they must keep the people of Bangladesh informed. In this context, he called for the Government to put out a roadmap leading up to inclusive and credible elections. Since then the Government has committed itself to elections no later than the end of 2008.
 
In his discussions with Sheikh Hasina, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s support for elections and the return to parliamentary Government in Bangladesh as expeditiously as possible. He also recognised that there were issues that needed to be addressed in organising these elections and ensuring a sustainable democracy in Bangladesh.

He expressed the hope that political parties would play a constructive role in supporting a peaceful environment for the conduct of credible elections. He stressed the Commonwealth’s readiness to assist Bangladesh in every possible way in the electoral process.