Bangladesh on higher grounds

from The New Nation

David Miliband, MP

Descending in a helicopter, through rain and mist, onto a crowded but remote 'Char' island, the enormous and immediate dangers of climate change suddenly, ominously, seemed very, very real. The island, in the middle of the massive Jamuna River, is a hostage to erosion, threatened by rising sea levels, and no stranger to severe flooding. On these shifting sands live some two million of Bangladesh's poorest and most vulnerable people: people for whom climate change is not a theory but a fact of daily life.

The people I spoke to there appreciated the assistance being given by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). More than just a livelihood, they believed that the DFID project had given them dignity and hope. Through 'asset transfers' of, for example, livestock, they have developed more secure and lasting means of income generation.

And DFID's project has helped to protect these livelihoods from the threat of climate change. Thousands of vulnerable homes have been raised on solid plinths above flood levels. As they have been adapted, improved and lifted up, uncertainty has been replaced with hope for the future.

I was rather taken with this idea and, as I reflected on the main aims of my visit, concerning the forthcoming elections, I was struck by the powerful metaphor for Bangladesh as a whole.

Can Bangladesh build 'plinths' of another kind?

How can Bangladesh lift itself above the 'shifting sands' of a 'winner-takes-all' political culture, deep-rooted corruption and poor governance?

If Bangladesh is to stand a chance of fulfilling the remarkable potential of its people, it must succeed in creating higher, stronger, foundations for democracy that can endure beyond the elections.

Credible and fair elections will be vital to the success of democratic renaissance in Bangladesh - the first and fundamental pillar of new foundations. The popular desire for a democratic voice is strong. I visited a voter registration centre in Gazipur and was touched by the genuine enthusiasm and determination of the queues of men and women waiting to have their photos, signatures and fingerprints registered, and to collect national voter ID cards. And I was impressed by the efficiency with which the Election Commission and the Army is handling the project for an accurate and inclusive voter list: a project to which the UK has contributed $20 million. There was a palpable sense that the process was creating a lasting democratic base.

During my visit, I emphasised the UK's view of the importance of the electoral roadmap and a commitment from the Caretaker Government to holding elections at the earliest feasible opportunity before the end of 2008. I was struck by the sincerity of the Caretaker Government and Election Commission in striving to fulfil this ambition.

Of course, elections need political parties; they are the beating heart of a vibrant democratic culture. That's why we encourage a dialogue between the Caretaker Government and political parties. A mood of understanding can help achieve inclusive elections and foster consensus over the kind of reforms which will sustain democracy in Bangladesh.

Political parties need to meet the government half way - agreeing to conduct themselves in a responsible, mature fashion; helping to take money and muscle out of politics; introducing fresh blood and capacity that sustains and strengthens democracy and democratic leadership; putting national interests first. The impression I took away from a fascinating discussion with young Bangladeshi leaders is that the people want to see the parties change - not because they are told to, but because they accept they have to and want to.

After all, individual personalities will come and go, but political parties and systems need to endure - including between elections. Democracy is a long game.

A further foundation of democracy is also respect for the rule of law and the principle of basic individual rights. Naturally, it's not for me to assess the charges laid against individuals. But just as it is right that anyone charged with a crime be judged without deference or discrimination, so it is important that all accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, receive a fair trial consistent with Bangladesh's international human rights obligations.

Strong democracies also need sound institutions and processes. It's crucial for Bangladesh's own development, too. Members of the British-Bangladeshi diaspora that I met during my visit were very clear that Bangladesh has substantial investment potential. But businesses and trade cannot thrive on uncertainty and instability. A stable business climate needs firm foundations of accountability. And people need to be able to trust that public life is not manipulated by a few individuals to satisfy selfish greed for money and power. The Caretaker Government can point to clear achievements: an overhaul of the country's institutions including the Election Commission, Public Service Commission, the separation of the Judiciary that has eluded past governments for over 35 years and a drive to combat corruption. The government which is elected in 2008 will have a responsibility to nurture these gains.

Of course, it is not for the UK to determine the shape and composition of the next government. Our interest in Bangladesh is as a close friend; our encouragement for building democratic systems is made without conditions, without preference or favour for any particular party or personality.

Indeed, at the end of my visit I spoke about the great depth of our common interests, and how the UK's special relationship with Bangladesh is broader and stronger than ever, on a range of vital issues.

On climate change, we want to support Bangladesh's vocal leadership in pushing for a comprehensive international agreement on cutting carbon emissions; Bangladesh has a unique authority in the debate, able to demonstrate the urgency of the issue and the need for engagement from all sides, including poorer nations who might be tempted to dismiss climate change as a 'rich man's problem'. The UK, as I have seen for myself, is supporting adaptation measures in Bangladesh and £30 million of new funding was announced in December 2007.

On development, the UK is the largest bilateral donor in Bangladesh - contributing close to a quarter of a billion dollars annually - and we will continue to support Bangladesh's progress on the Millennium Development goals. In a globalised world, tackling the roots of poverty and inequality is in everyone's interests.

The strong people-to-people link is manifested by the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK, numbering close to half a million people, and embodied by the personal and familial ties at the heart of our countries' relationship.

The diaspora members I met and spoke to during my visit were positive that there is no contradiction in being British and being of Bangladeshi origin, in a multicultural and multi-faith society.

They are rightly proud of their roots and proud to be British, recognising the contribution they have made in every sphere of UK society and willing to put something back into Bangladesh too. A confident, successful and outward-looking diaspora, at ease with multiple identities and connected to mainstream British life, can make an even greater contribution to Britain and to Bangladesh.

Britain and Bangladesh, sadly, have both known the horrors of indiscriminate terrorist violence against innocent people. The reality is that the roots of extremism have not gone away. We will continue to work together with Bangladesh to counter the threat of those who seek to profit from division, suspicion and violence and to address the root causes of extremism both here and around the world. We express our solidarity and recognise the values we share.

We have a huge commonality of interests. We are friends and fans of Bangladesh and its people. And so I am unapologetic about our honest and openly stated desire to see Bangladesh 'shore up' its democratic foundations. Democracy is everyone's responsibility. I share the enthusiasm of the Bangladeshi people to see an enduring democracy and I commit the UK to helping where it can. When it comes to building 'plinths', Bangladesh can expect Britain to lend a hand.

(Bangladesh on higher ground by the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon David Miliband MP)