In a typical reaction to criticism on human rights violations, the Ministry of Home Affairs trashed the latest report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), an internationally reputed body, terming it as "totally false, baseless and imaginary." Critical comments on human rights situation evoke another characteristic reaction, which is, that it is part of an 'international conspiracy to create a bad image of Bangladesh.'
The issues of contention revolve around alleged excesses committed by the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the government's handling of the BDR mutiny trial that allegedly led to gross violations of human rights.
Summarily binning the report is certainly not the answer. This is tantamount to denying the benefit of perceptions held by an international human rights body of some standing, and in the process missing out on some plausible allegations.
Let us not forget that from time to time our civil society, various rights activists and the media have highlighted the impingements on human rights. Such concerns have not received legitimate attention, far less lead to corrective action.
That said, we take issue with HRW when it states that government should disband the elite law and order agency RAB. No state can be asked by an international body to disband an agency created by law. By the same token, how does HRW demand of the government to stop the ongoing trial process? Clearly, it has gone beyond its remit in these areas.
The report, we believe, should be scanned with due diligence to determine the merit or otherwise of the allegations by HRW and, if need be, take cognisance of the allegations.
Overall, these are serious allegations; allegations that need to be looked into by the State out of our own volition as part of the internal checks-and-balances that any government upholds in a democratic country.
We are indeed happy to note that foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country touched the highest mark last year rising by 24.42 per cent to $1.13 billion despite a host of infrastructural and political adversities. A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) also says that the biggest portion of FDI went to the garment sector while the second and third biggest ones went to the banking, and power and gas sectors respectively. All these are good news which undoubtedly shows the tremendous resilience of our economy as well as our work force.
However, the Unctad report also brought it to our notice that in attracting FDI Bangladesh falls far behind India and even behind Pakistan. Also other countries in Southeast Asia are drawing FDI in a great measure.
As we understand it, serious infrastructural problems and unrelenting political instability have been two major impediments to accelerating FDI growth. Add to these the bureaucratic red tape and the cost of doing business. A stable tax policy is also imperative. Therefore, these issues must be addressed properly to ensure increased flow of foreign investment.
Furthermore, sporadic unrest in the garment industry may be responsible for a lower investment in this sector which is why we urge all parties concerned to arrive at a sustainable agreement to quell the unrest. Finally, domestic investment which currently does not account for more than 25 per cent of the GDP, needs a boost to encourage foreign investors. Where the environment is not deemed fully congenial to private investment, how can foreign investors feel drawn to the country?
Some emerging countries are thinking of relocating their investment in countries like Bangladesh which have abundant and trainable labour force with cheaper overheads. Our policymakers need to exploit such advantages through an incentive policy package. We have the potential to attract FDI with steps in right places.
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