Staff Correspondent:

No state reform measure will be fruitful if people continue to face risks to their lives, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday morning.

BNP wants reforms in state affairs, but all reforms become useless when they fail to ensure overall improvement in civilian lives as well as protection for children, he added.

He was speaking at an event organized by “Aamra BNP Poribar” and “Mayer Daak” at an open field on Kalam Ataturk Avenue, Banani in the capital.

The event was held to honour the children killed in last year’s anti-fascist uprising and those who lost parents to acts of state-backed enforced disappearances during the 15-year Awami League fascist rule.

Referring to a child killed in the uprising, Fakhrul said many families endured losses of lives in the struggle against Awami League rule. Many joined the fight, but not all, including leaders like Fakhrul, could embrace sacrifices, the BNP veteran admitted.

He also alleged that many are now enjoying financially profitable and honourable lives in the government and business circles, thanks to the fall of fascist rule. But, these beneficiaries have not given adequate attention to the children, whose sacrifices have made all the change possible, Fakhrul alleged.

BNP had hoped that upon assuming power the reformist interim government would work to rehabilitate the children affected in Awami League atrocities. However, the government has so far failed to do so. He hoped that before the end of its tenure, the administration would take an initiative in this regard.

He also lamented that the government has failed to seek out those who are still missing as victims of Awami League-era enforced disappearance.

He reiterated BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s pledge to rehabilitate the children who lost parents due to enforced disappearances.