Bangladesh to train the Civil Service?

Thoughts & Reflections

By Dr R Neerunjun Gopee

A WhatsApp post forwarded to me some days back has caused me quite some surprise if not shock. This is the text I received:

‘Maurice souhaite renforcer sa coopération avec le Bangladesh dans divers secteurs, en particulier dans la fonction publique, l’éducation et la microfinance.

Bangladesh Riots. Pic – The Economic Times

‘Lors d’une réunion avec le haut-commissaire du Bangladesh à Maurice, le ministre de la fonction publique, Raj Pentiah, a proposé de développer l’Atal Bihari Vaypayee Institute for Public Service Innovation en un centre d’excellence régional et a suggéré la création de programmes d’échange pour les fonctionnaires.

‘Il a également encouragé les étudiants mauriciens à interagir avec les institutions bangladaises et soutenue l’idée de programmes de formation bureaucratique.’

If this post is true, then its contents should be a matter of concern to Mauritian citizens. It will be recalled that the democratically-elected government led by Prime Minister Sheik Hasina was overthrown after much unrest and violence by radical student activists and their allies. She had to flee Bangladesh, being given only 45 minutes by the army to pack up and leave by a plane that took her to the border with India, whence she was flown to a place outside Delhi. She is still there courtesy the Indian government which is assuring her safety and security in keeping with her status as well as because she is the daughter of Sheik Mujibur Rahman, known as the Liberator of Bangladesh.

In her place was ‘paradropped’ (by external forces) according to the expression used by a geopolitical commentator, 86-year-old Mohammad Yunus, who acted as adviser to the interim government.

But in fact, there is no government as such, because the so-called ‘interim government’ is a mix of student activists and prisoners released from jail within days of Yunus being installed. That is, those in control have no legitimacy since they have not been elected by the people by a democratic process,

And the situation in Bangladesh is anything but normal. The mayhem unleashed after the departure of Sheik Hasina has not ceased, and is captured in the following write-up dated 24 March 2025 from Doughty Street Chambers of London as follows:

‘Bangladesh: Dr Yunus Administration to be referred to the ICC for Crimes Against Humanity

‘Steven Powles KC and lawyers from Doughty Street Chambers have been engaged to prepare a communication to the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) under Article 15 of the ICC Statute. Article 15 allows victims of alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC to draw such crimes to the attention of the ICC Prosecutor and seek an investigation.

‘Since Dr Yunus took power in Bangladesh on 8 August 2024 there have been numerous unprovoked and violent attacks against journalists, police officers, minorities and those connected with the former government party, the Awami League. There are allegations of (i) killings, (ii) arbitrary imprisonment on false criminal charges, particularly of journalists, (iii) unchecked mob violence, and (iv) incitement of religious violence, such as attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus and the destruction of Hindu temples. No steps have been taken in Bangladesh to hold the perpetrators of these allegations to account.

‘The Article 15 communication will be based on evidence gathered from victims and witnesses of these atrocities in Bangladesh. The widespread and systematic nature of these attacks suggests that they were planned at the highest level and amount to Crimes Against Humanity of murder, persecution, and imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty under Article 7 of the ICC Statute.

‘Steven Powles KC said: “No one is above the law, and if the victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC cannot get justice in their own country it is important to bring these crimes to the attention of the ICC so that there can be a vigorous and impartial investigation.”

‘Shahin Alam’s younger brother (Shamim Molla) was abducted and killed by followers of Dr Yunus after he took power. Mr Alam said: “My brother was mercilessly killed in a senseless attack. In recent months Bangladesh has descended into a state of lawlessness. Known terrorists have been released from jail, and members of fundamentalist groups have been placed in positions of power. I am determined to get justice for my brother and ensure those responsible are held to account.”’

The army is split into two factions which have opposing views about the running of the country. Besides, since the August coup last year there is tremendous hardship among the people, since the flourishing textile industry has virtually come to a standstill, with USAID having terminated its flows into the country, with not much help from other sources either, the economic situation is dire. The country is heavily in debt too, unable to pay for example for its electricity supply.

One can only feel sorry for the people of Bangladesh, and for me this resonates because I studied in Kolkata which is the capital of West Bengal, and I was in India in December 1971 when East Pakistan split from West Pakistan and became Bangladesh – following much atrocity, violence and genocide.

It would be in the interest of the country and the region for normalcy to return to Bangladesh as soon as possible.Then only should Mauritius engage with any legitimate, democratically elected of Bangladesh. At present, it is worth repeating that there is none. For, it is well-known that any official cooperation between countries is a government-to-government affair. In the absence of a proper government, with whom will our government engage?

This is the crux of the matter, and the government would be well-advised not to rush into any MOU or agreement until there is more clarity as to who is actually in charge in Bangladesh, a government that must come out of a genuine election process and have inclusive representation of all sections of its people.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 28 March 2025