Jumbangla Desk: Bangladeshi professionals living in London have made six demands such as the formation of a separate reform commission keeping in mind the various rights of expatriates, appointment of at least two advisors from among expatriates, and talent hunt from established expatriates in various fields to perform important duties of the country. These demands were made from a seminar titled 'One and a half million expatriate Bangladeshis: How they can play a role in nation building'.
Bangladeshi professionals living in London organized this round table meeting held in the auditorium of London School of Commerce and IT on Wednesday (November 6) evening. Speakers in the meeting said that expatriates played an important role in the anti-discrimination and anti-fascist movement. Expatriates in different countries have besieged embassies and high commissions from their respective positions, held meetings day after day. Half a hundred expatriates have been jailed for protesting in the Middle East. Finally, the expatriates shocked the government by stopping sending remittances for a month before August 5.
The concerned adviser and the governor of Bangladesh Bank recently said that after the current interim government took over, due to the increase in the remittance flow of expatriates, the foreign loan installments have been paid without touching the foreign reserves. So there is no chance to neglect over one and a half crore diaspora. Therefore, it is very reasonable to take at least 10 percent expatriate Bangladeshis in the advisory council in the country's management.
Former senate member of Dhaka University Nasrullah Khan Junaid presided over and barrister Nazir Ahmed conducted the welcome speech at the seminar, journalist Oliullah Noman. The former professor of Dhaka University was present as the chief guest. Hasanat Hossain, Professor Abdul Quader Saleh was present as the special guest. Eminent lawyers Barrister Omar Farooq, Barrister Iqbal Hossain, Barrister Hamidul Haque Affindi Liton, former army officer Amin Chaudhuri, Barrister Alimul Haque Liton, Barrister M Fayshal, prominent businessman Rafiqul Islam Emad, Barrister Ali Imam, youth leader Nasir Uddin, researcher Shariful participated in the discussion. Islam, human rights activist Tanvir Hasan, anti-discrimination Nahid Ahmed, community activist Sajedur Rahman, social worker Aminul Islam and others are one of the coordinators of Billet in the movement.
Proposals and demands adopted in the meeting ––
1. Various legitimate demands and complaints of expatriates have been sent to the government but no proper or satisfactory response has been received in the past. However, remittances sent by expatriates are the second largest foreign exchange earning sector of the country's economy. The interim government has already constituted 10 reform commissions in various fields. Therefore, it is demanded to form a high-powered reform commission to reform the fair rights of expatriates, various demands, quality of service and complaints.
2. Over one and a half crore expatriates, that is, about 10 percent of the total population, are living outside Bangladesh. At least two advisers are demanded from among them.
3. According to Article 66(2)(c) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, dual citizens cannot be members of Parliament. But there is no bar for dual nationals to become judges or even chief justices of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. In Britain, dual citizens can also become members of the British Parliament. There is no obligation to be a British citizen to become an MP in Britain. It is demanded that the relevant provisions of the constitution be canceled to allow those who are Bangladeshi citizens by birth, even if they have dual-citizenship, to become members of Parliament.
4. There are hundreds of skilled professionals in foreign countries who are qualified in their respective fields. These expatriates can play an important role in the reconstruction of Bangladesh. The former Prime Minister of the country in the construction of modern Malaysia. Mahathir Muhammad used to come to Britain and hunt talent among British-Malaysians. The expatriates demanded the current interim government to do so .
5. It is demanded to issue a notification very quickly declaring Bangladeshi passport or British passport or NID card acceptable as ID for execution of power of attorney.
6. There is a huge disparity in the privileges of voters and their elected MPs. For example, tax-free cars for MPs, various development allocations including state land allocation in Dhaka are given on a priority basis. But the constitution says that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. These discriminatory facilities and allocations should be canceled immediately.
