Staff Reporter :
The former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, termed terrorism, lack of quality democracy and corruption as the three-key bars for the global development.
David Cameron started with the challenges before the world leaders such as to ensure functional quality of democracy, access to justice and corruption-free administration. He was forthright in saying that terrorism is not clash of civilisations or clash of ideologies. It is cash of ideologies within Islam — a religion of peace .The world leaders must fight terrorism together which is found everywhere.
The visiting former British Premier said this as the Keynote Speaker in a discussion programme tilled ‘Global Challenges in 2017’ which was arranged by British – Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) at Hotel Four Points in the city’s Gulshan area on Thursday afternoon.
Enam Ali, President of the BBCCI, gave the welcome speech and journalist Zillur Rahman conducted the function.
“The development democracy must contain the freedom of expression, the rule of law and smooth voting,” David Cameron opined adding Bangladeshis have been playing a vital role in the British politics and economy.
Replying to a question of a senior lawyer and former Law Adviser to last caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein, the former British Premier discussed the issue of terrorism and its impact on working of democracy, rule of law or easy access to justice. He was clear that democracy was to be preserved to defeat terrorism. He added that fighting terrorism must not mean helping autocracy. Barrister Mainul specially pointed out that Bangladesh terrorism has no connection with international terrorism.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed thanked David Cameron on behalf of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. In particular he expected trade between Bangladesh and U K to expand
David Cameron came to Bangladesh in a short ‘private visit’ on Wednesday night and left Dhaka yesterday evening.
CPD distinguished fellows Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya and Mustafizur Rahman, Maj Gen (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim and BNP leader M. Hafizuddin Ahmed were present, among others and put questions on the effects of globalisation and exclusionism.
