On August 25, Professor Yunus gave a well-received, 25-minute address to the nation from his office. This recording of it in Bengali has received more than 3 million views, and nearly 19,000 comments have been posted in response to it. Shayan Khan, the executive editor of the Dhaka Courier, the Bangladeshi equivalent of Time magazine in the U.S., wrote this about the speech on his Facebook page: “That was all-business from Dr. Y, said all the right things with sincerity and resolve. How beautiful not to hear a political speech laced with cult worship, distorted history and ‘Me Me Me’ – the first person was always plural -‘We’. And didn’t evade the difficult question of how long they plan to stay. Carry on Professor…”
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
My fellow citizens, I salute all the children, adolescents, young people, students, and old men and women of the country.
Assalamualaikum.
I welcome you all to the new Bangladesh, a product of the student revolution.
I pay the deepest respect to all those who died in the student-people revolution against fascism in July and August. May their souls rest in peace. I want to tell you something about the promise to build a new Bangladesh in return for their sacrifice.
I am saying today’s words, remembering those who have died, those who have been injured or fallen ill, and those who have lost everything and who are living in misery due to the terrible floods. We have taken initiatives at the government and private levels to stabilise the lives of the flood victims quickly. We have started discussions internally and with our neighbours to prevent all types of floods in the future.
Fellow citizens, you know that the students and people who led this revolution have entrusted me with a great responsibility at this critical time for the nation. They want to build a new Bangladesh. I have joined the new generation as a friend in their struggle to make this aspiration a reality. I call upon all people of all ages, all professions, all opinions, and all religions to join this struggle without hesitation.
Fellow citizens, the Bangladesh that we got in exchange for the blood of millions of martyrs and the sacrifice of millions of mothers and sisters have been destroyed at the hands of fascism and autocracy. You’ve seen how they’ve destroyed each of our institutions. Corruption has crept into the country. Our country has been transformed into one where even the peons of an autocrat have done unimaginable things like amassing wealth worth 400 crore taka [1 crore = 10 million] through corruption. The education sector has been crippled, there has been looting in the banking and stock market sectors, and world records have been set in project expenditure. There has been unbridled money laundering, turning law enforcement agencies into puppets of a single party, snatching freedom of speech, snatching human rights—and this is just the tip of the iceberg. The fascist government has curtailed the constitutional powers and rights of the people to grab power. Misrule, corruption, injustice, oppression, and farce in the name of justice have endangered public security. People have been exposed to oppression and deprivation and discrimination. The voting rights of millions of people, including the new generation, have been snatched away over the years. By creating all kinds of obstacles in the way of the advancement of the people, the autocrat has taken ownership of the country in her own hands, and shared them with a few people in her family and party.
Fellow citizens, we have to build the Bangladesh of our dreams at this moment. I am committed to fulfilling the dream of the students and the people with which they jumped into the movement for a state without discrimination and exploitation. I invite all of you to come forward with all your might to fulfill this dream today. Their dreams are our dreams. The youth have created a great opportunity in our national life. We urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity.
After the head of the fascist government left the country in the face of public anger, we want to build a country where the human rights of every citizen will be fully protected. We have only one goal: a liberal, democratic, and non-discriminatory Bangladesh where all communities live peacefully together. We are one family. We have one goal. We are committed to ensuring that no form of discrimination can disrupt our dreams.
Only two weeks have passed since the present government took office. Thank you for the support we are receiving from you in reforming the state in the first phase of our journey. We understand that you have high expectations for us. We are committed to fulfilling those expectations. However, the long absence of democracy—15 years of fascist rule—had left us with mountain-like challenges on almost every front. But we are ready to take on this challenge.
Today I have come before you to seek your blessings and cooperation on behalf of the government. I would just request that you be a little patient. Now we have to get out of the tendency to try to push that all our demands to be fulfilled through threats and litigation, and attacks. The glory and potential of the student revolution will fade away in these activities, and the efforts to build a new Bangladesh will also be hampered.
It is difficult to overcome this situation overnight. Our society is built on a shaky foundation. Rebuilding it on that foundation is risky. We want to build Bangladesh from here in such a way that the people are the real source of all power in this country. It is appreciated as a successful state serving the welfare of the people in the eyes of the world. We must be successful in reforming the state to honour the sacrifices of the young generation, students, and people. There is no other alternative.
Fellow citizens, as you are already aware, we have invited the head of the UN Human Rights Commission to come to Bangladesh and start their investigation into the tragic incidents of use of force and casualties during the mass upsurge in July and August. The investigation will begin this week. Their first group has already arrived.
We have already withdrawn most of the hundreds of false and harassment cases filed to thwart the student and people’s revolution, and arranged for the release of the students and other people who have been detained. People will be freed from suffering by taking similar measures in all false and fictitious cases gradually.
The families of all the martyrs of the mass uprising will be rehabilitated to ensure justice. The government will bear the entire cost of treatment of all the injured students and the public. To that end, a complete list is being prepared by the Ministry of Health with the help of two advisers representing the Student Movement Against Discrimination in the advisory council.
For this programme and to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the mass uprising, the government has quickly brought the process of establishing a foundation named “July Genocide Memorial Foundation” to its final stage. I request that all brothers and sisters living abroad send donations to this foundation. I have personally accepted the position of chairman of this organisation.
Fellow citizens, you have noticed that after assuming office, we had to handle the unstable situation in the law and order arena. With your cooperation and support, all members of law enforcement agencies have resumed work. Due to the extreme politicization of the fascist government’s administration, a large number of officials and employees have been discriminated against for a long time. We have already started taking corrective measures. However, it takes time to keep the administration moving forward and, at the same time, come to the right decision by following appropriate procedures. That’s why I request everyone to be patient. One of our objectives is to restore the confidence of the people in all areas of our government.
We have taken initiatives to ensure good governance in the banking sector, which has become an arena for looting and corruption. Skilled people are being recruited to help us do this. We have initiated initiatives to bring order to the banking sector, create a supportive environment for business, and bring the prices of daily necessities and inflation under control to make people’s lives easier.
The Banking Commission will be constituted for long term reforms in the financial sector. A vision for the overall situation and reforms in the financial sector will be developed, which will be made public soon. Quick steps are being taken to resolve the extreme chaos in these areas, including the stock market and transport sector.
A police commission will be formed with the aim of creating a police force that is oriented to the public interest, free from party influence, and accountable. Necessary reforms will be carried out under the leadership of the Commission by looking into the UN investigative report and in consultation with all responsible agencies and the public. Measures will be taken so that no one can ever again turn Bangladesh into a police state.
The free flow of information and freedom of the press will be ensured. Fascist regimes also burdened the media with factionalism and harassment. We are committed to ensuring people’s right to information. Existing legal and other barriers to the free flow of information will be removed. All oppressive clauses in laws that impede freedom of expression will be amended. This process has already been initiated by identifying such laws.
We have already lifted the unwritten ban on foreign journalists coming to the country. Officials have been instructed to issue visas to foreign journalists quickly. We hope that members of the media will continue their impartial journalism in this changing situation.
The previous government established extreme anarchy in the education sector. We will reform it completely. It is one of our top priorities. You know that all educational institutions have been reopened since we took charge. It is our commitment to ensure a creative, safe, and fear-free environment for students. At the same time, the work of modernising the curriculum will also start soon.
Local government institutions will be strengthened to consolidate democracy, and decentralisation of power will be ensured. Free, fair, and participatory elections will be organised by completing necessary reforms in the administration, judiciary, election commission and electoral system, the law and order sector, and ensuring information flow to make the student revolution a success. Its goal will be the beginning of an accountable political process that prevents corruption, looting, and genocide.
The present government has taken a clear stand against corruption. All our advisers will disclose their asset details as soon as possible. It will also become regular and mandatory for all government officials gradually. An ordinance will be promulgated to appoint the ombudsman, as promised under Article 77 of the Constitution, to take action against corruption at the state level.
Now, let’s talk a little about the agricultural sector. In agrarian-dependent Bangladesh, it will be ensured that the interests of the farmers are protected, and that the farmers get a fair price for their produce.
People gratefully remember the way migrant workers supported the Student Movement Against Discrimination. Respectful treatment for them will be ensured at all levels.
The health sector in Bangladesh is one of the most corrupt sectors. Necessary reforms will be carried out in the health sector to ensure adequate health services for the people. All concerned in this sector will be held accountable. Initiatives will be taken to modernise hospitals, and the regular presence of government doctors, including specialists, will be ensured. We are determined to take the necessary initiatives so that health services do not remain concentrated in certain regions; we will ensure that people in all regions of the country get equal health services.
The current generation is much more aware than previous ones. They are not only aware of the changes taking place in different parts of the world, but they are also leading the way. The development they envision is sustainable and environmentally friendly. They understand that development must not destroy nature. GDP alone cannot be the yardstick of a country’s development. Development that destroys and pollutes rivers, canals, mountains, forests, soil, and air is not sustainable in the long term. Our government’s position is consistent with environmentalists’ opposition to fossil fuels. There is no alternative to reducing carbon emissions to zero to prevent climate change and leave a healthy world for future generations. Our government will give utmost importance to the environment and climate protection. The youth community will be engaged in this work.
Already, various states and the United Nations have expressed support for the program of the current government. We will maintain friendly relations with all states. Our foreign policy will be based on mutual trust, confidence, and cooperation. We respect all international laws, including human rights laws. Various steps have been taken by us, including becoming a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. We will implement all regional and bilateral agreements and understandings already entered into.
Our government will work with the international community to find a realistic solution to the Rohingya issue.
We believe in national unity. With the aim of necessary reforms, political unity will ensure that women, children, the disabled, religious minorities, and ethnic minorities are all considered full citizens of this country and entitled to equal protection under our laws. Efforts will be made to ensure all their human rights and other rights. For this reason, I have appointed a special assistant with the rank of adviser, whose responsibility will be to promote national integration.
We have activated all the arms of the government to provide proper assistance to alleviate the sufferings of all the people in the flood affected areas. In the meantime, the advisers have gone to the area. A control room has been set up in my office. Post-flood measures have been taken, and steps are being taken to determine what needs to be done to control floods in the future.
The army, police, Border Guard Bangladesh, and RAB have been stigmatised by abduction and torture. They are the pride of the country. We don’t want to see the whole force tarnished because of some of their overzealous members. We want to identify the culprits and punish them. So that in the future, no member of any national force, the police, or RAB dares get involved in killings, disappearances, and torture at the behest of anyone. No matter what order comes to them from high authorities, they will ignore it, if it violates fundamental rights. In the future, any explanation that they had been compelled to commit such a heinous act by the order of a higher authority would not be accepted by anyone.
I have directed the country’s defense forces, police, and all other forces to identify and bring to justice those who are directly involved in killings, disappearances, or physical and mental torture. I have asked them to prepare a list of those who have disappeared and been killed. I have no words to console their families. We will continue our efforts to restore peace to their lives. I have directed all the country’s defense forces and law enforcement agencies to take all measures to restore people’s full confidence in them.
A committee has already been formed to prepare a white paper on the corruption, money laundering, signing of anti-public interest agreements, looting in the name of projects, and so on that we have seen these last 15 years.
I have met with ambassadors and representatives of donor agencies in various countries and will keep doing it. I request that they provide all kinds of financial and other support for building the country after the student uprising. They are showing interest in it. We have taken measures to formulate our proposals for them and send them quickly. I have also requested that they take measures to release the funds immediately due to the urgent needs of today. I also told them that the situation we are going through is catastrophic, as well as a great opportunity in the life of the nation. I sought their cooperation so that we could fully utilise this opportunity.
Bangladeshis living abroad have played a very important role in this mass uprising. The nation will remember their contributions. We will seek their participation in building a new Bangladesh.
One of our targets will be to ensure that every expatriate worker who goes abroad and returns home are treated with dignity and respect. Necessary steps will be taken soon in this regard. I appeal to all the people living abroad to send their earned money to the country through official channels. This money is especially needed to overcome the economic crisis of the country. We will take their advice on what measures will make it easier for them to send money through official channels.
The whole country is immersed in a sea of bribery. Give us advice on how we can get rid of bribery. Only if we can move forward with this work, I think this government will be remembered for making an important contribution to the country. I promise that I will devote all my full energy to this.
It is our responsibility to bind all the people of the country into one family. There will be differences in the family. There will be arguments. But we are brothers and sisters, we are parents. We are not anyone’s enemy. We will not consider anyone an enemy for expressing their opinion. We will not consider anyone an enemy because of religion. We will not think of anyone as an enemy because of their gender. We are all equal. None are above or below anyone else. We want to establish this idea in all spheres of national life.
We need your help in a particular matter. Since we took office, rallies have been held every day at the secretariat, around my office, and in different parts of the city. You have accumulated many sorrows over the past 15 years. We understand that. If you don’t let us work, all avenues for overcoming this sorrow will be closed. I ask you to let us work. Give us what you want in writing. We are not your opponents. We will do whatever is legally justified. But don’t besiege us and obstruct our work on these important days. Please explain to them that they should not obstruct our important daily work at this time to draw attention to their complaints.
One thing everyone is curious to know is when our government will leave. The answer is in your hands. When will you send us off? None of us are the people to rule the country. We find pleasure in our respective professions. We have taken this responsibility at the call of the students during a time of national crisis. We will fulfill this responsibility with all our might. Our advisers are motivated by this goal and are working together as a team. It is purely a political decision when the election will be held, not ours. The country people have to decide when you will send us off.
We are here at the call of the students. They are our primary employers. The general public of the country supported our appointment. We will quit when we are asked. We will also reform the Election Commission as part of the reform. We will keep the commission ready for an ideal election at any time.
We have started various reforms. I would request that the Bangladeshi people start a discussion what the minimum amount of work we have to complete and what can be done partially. Through this discussion, we can get clear direction. But the final decision is a political decision. Political decisions will come from political discussions. Without this directive, we will not be able to move forward firmly in negotiations with donor countries and international financial institutions.
I assure you that we will not raise any question of extension from our side. We want the blessings of all of you. In the many days we are here, we want to ensure that every member of the advisory council can use their own talents to the best of their ability to overcome the crisis in the country.
We have all earned the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh in exchange for the blood of the students and other martyrs. We do not want to miss this opportunity due to our differences. If we lose this opportunity, we will be defeated as a nation. We want to remain committed to the martyrs, the injured,, and the surviving students and people. We will not let this achievement be lost. We have taken an oath to make our country a respectable, exemplary country in all directions through the opportunities they have given us.
Finally, once again, I seek blessings from all the people of our country—children, adolescents, young people and old people, that we succeed in realising our dream.
May Allah help us and bless us all.