The New Nation - Internet Edition

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and Lord Eric
Avebury arrive at the Moses Room in the House of Lords for a
Conference on Democracy, Human Rights and the prospect of
Free and Fair Elections in Bangladesh on Thursday.

Desk Report

Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, who is currently visiting London, has said, emergency must be lifted and people's fundamental and political rights must be restored to create transparent atmosphere for a free and fair election.

She emphasised, the above are the pre-requisites of an election which can offer a government to the choice of the people.

The AL chief was addressing a seminar yesterday on "Human Rights Affairs' held at the upper house of the British Parliament, House of Lords, organised by the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group.

Lord Avery presided over the seminar where a good number of British parliamentarians of both the houses attended.

Regarding sceptical views about holding of the general elections on 18 December, the AL leader, in reply to a question by journalists, said that she believed the election would be held and continued with an urge upon every Bangalee living at home or abroad to work for the election.

The AL chief concluded with the assertion, "Elections will be held and must be held."

The UK AL leaders, AL leaders who are currently visiting London and some UK BNP leaders attended the seminar.