Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to holding the fairest and most credible elections in Bangladesh’s history, emphasizing transparency, political reforms, and national unity.
"We want the next polls to be the most free, fair, and acceptable one in the history of Bangladesh," he declared in a televised address to the nation, marking Independence Day and Eid-ul-Fitr.
The Election Commission has already started comprehensive preparations, and political parties have been urged to gear up for the elections, which will be held between December this year and June next year.
The National Consensus Commission, established by the interim government, is working with 38 political parties on 166 reform proposals based on findings from six previous reform commissions.
"Every political party is actively participating in discussions, showing a national consensus for reform," Prof. Yunus noted.
The final agreements will be compiled into a “July Charter”, setting the foundation for future governance reforms and national development.
Prof. Yunus paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the victims of the July 2024 uprising, where thousands protested against oppression, discrimination, and exploitation.
He welcomed the UN Human Rights Office’s report, which detailed grave human rights violations committed by the previous government.
"The world now recognizes the atrocities of the past regime. Around 1,400 people were killed, including children, and our brave July daughters suffered horrific abuse," he stated.
The interim government is taking these findings seriously and has vowed to bring those responsible for mass killings and crimes against humanity to justice.
In a groundbreaking development, Prof. Yunus announced talks with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to introduce Starlink in Bangladesh, ensuring universal high-speed internet access.
A commercial agreement is expected within three months, which will enable villages, remote islands, and mountainous areas to access ultra-fast internet services.
"Once Starlink is operational, no future government will be able to suppress freedom by shutting down the internet," he emphasized.
The initiative will revolutionize education, healthcare, and economic participation, giving every Bangladeshi a chance to be a global citizen.
The government has introduced the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy 2025, designed to empower young innovators as key drivers of economic, social, and environmental progress.
This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs who will reshape Bangladesh’s future.
Mentioning that United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visited the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar a few days ago, the Chief Adviser said they had Iftar with one lakh Rohingyas living in camps.
"Having agreed to our proposal, the UN General Assembly is preparing to organise a separate session on the Rohingya crisis in September.
"Malaysia and Finland have come forward to jointly host this conference. In addition, I invited former acting Australian Prime Minister Julie Bishop to play a key role in this important meeting. She has accepted my proposal," he said.
Prof Yunus said the UN chief held separate meetings with members of the National Consensus Commission, political leaders and youth during his visit to Bangladesh.
In the meeting, he said, everyone told the UN Secretary-General about their dream of building a 'New Bangladesh'.
About the recent report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, he said it released a detailed report after thoroughly investigating the repression and killings carried out by the Sheikh Hasina government and the Awami League on students, workers and the public in Bangladesh in the July-August.
Stating that the Awami League and cohorts were involved in planned severe human rights violation, the Chief Adviser said the report reveals that about 1,400 people were killed during the July protests, while about 13 percent of them were children.
"Being on the frontlines of the protests, our July daughters have been attacked by security forces and the Awami League supporters, and even sexually abused," he said.
Welcoming this report, Prof Yunus said, the interim government is seriously considering the recommendations made in it.
"I would like to assure you that those who were involved in mass killing, those who killed people indiscriminately, those who are already recognised by the world as murderers, will be tried on the soil of this country," he asserted.
Greeting all on the occasion of holy Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, Prof Yunus said hajj is one of the most profound spiritual journeys for Muslims as they wait for it their entire life.
He observed that pilgrims from Bangladesh often face various challenges, while performing the holy Hajj, - language barriers, health risks, overcrowding, administrative complications, and logistical problems.
"To make the hajj experience smooth and safe, the interim government has developed a mobile app that will provide necessary assistance to the esteemed pilgrims before, during, and after their return," he added.
The app will provide real-time instructions and assistance in Bangla, ensure financial transactions in local currency abroad through a government-backed special debit card, and have a luggage tracking system, the Chief Adviser said.
Using mobile phone, hajj pilgrims will be able to know the details of the daily activities and travel details every day, while they will be reminded of their prayers, he said.
The app will describe the history of the holy places they will visit with pictures, he added.
Prof Yunus said if pilgrims have any questions, they will be able to call to the call centre and get answers to those questions.
All arrangements will be made to ensure that the daily hassles of travel do not defeat the main goal of hajj, he added.
