Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The nation of Bangladesh has seen significant turmoil and unrest and a tragic loss of life in recent months. But I'm pleased to be able to say that, since the interim government took office under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus on 8 August, they have made significant progress towards not only restoring stability in Bangladesh but also restoring people's rights and freedoms. We've seen a new chief justice appointed. We've seen a new central bank governor appointed. We've seen step down 16 university vice-chancellors who were involved in suppressing the legitimate protests by students on their campuses. We've seen the interim government promise to try those responsible for state sponsored killings, and it's important that those crimes do not go unpunished. We've also seen the interim government throw out some of the spurious cases brought against the student protesters by the former government in Bangladesh, and we've seen reforms to the police force to restore faith and trust in that institution.

I wanted to commend here the people of Bangladesh and the large Bangladeshi diaspora abroad, including in my own home state of New South Wales. I commend Bangladeshi civil society and especially the brave student protesters who demanded to take back their country and bravely faced off against heavy-handed security forces. Tragically, some 450 protesters paid for Bangladesh's freedoms with their lives, and it's important that their memories be respected and that their legacy be taken on board by this new, interim government.

It's important that we in Australia support the interim government. We would like to see elections free and fair as soon as possible, but we recognise that institutions, and faith in Bangladesh's institutions, must be rebuilt first. Also, we do urge respect for the political and civil rights of all Bangladeshis, regardless of faith or political affiliation, and warn against any retributive violence.