Politics

I've been stretched pretty thinly over the past few days what with one thing and another; preparing for a presentation on Digital Bangladesh (see The Independent, 09/04/2010); working on the book and editing another book on Active Learning for ULAB. Now I've started work on another book, this one on the markets of Dhaka. Actually we are building on the work done by Shahjahan Siraj on the 80plus1 project which can be found at www.80plus1.com.

Basically the idea is to record the markets of Dhaka, especially the older, traditional markets before they disappear. It seems to us that photographers are actively encouraged to photograph the 'eternal' Bangladesh of lush paddy fields, palm trees and setting suns rather than the dynamic, dirty and challenging urban scenes like the market spaces. Alternatively, photograph the disasters!

The political situation is becoming very interesting. Clearly the power, water, gas situation has the government worried. At the hottest time of the year people in the slums can't get any potable water and the middle classes have to do without their AC. A very dangerous convergence of interests is occurring.

The BNP is an ineffective rump that huffs and puffs but can achieve nothing and its wracked by internal dissension, probably between the young new guard and the old guard who cling the memory of Zia embodied in his widow, Khaleda. Given this situation you would think the Awami league would be triumphant, confident and secure in its political actions. I suspect it's not. If I'm reading the signs correctly then the AL is destroying itself internally as the external forces count for little.

The Bangladesh Chhartra league (BCL or AL student wing)) is basically out of control in some areas intimidating its opponents as well factionalising along splits based on personalities. It is also competing with the the Jumma League (the AL youth wing) for influence but also the control of markets and land. Pitched battles are fought on university grounds around the country and in the streets and people are clearly not impressed. The view is that the BCL and JL have been captured by thugs and petty criminals who use their control of the organisations and their institutional links as the basis for criminal behaviour. If the party can't control its own how can it be expected to govern the country. Moreover, local AL functionaries are using their positions to engage in criminal behaviour. Maybe the observation that the BNP can do nothing, just wait and let the AL implode in order to regain power is pretty astute.

I met a Canadian Human Rights lawyer, working for an American union based organistion, the other night. He focuses on three areas; the economic free zones, the shrimp industry and the retail garments manufacturing industry. Some success in the first two but not the latter, which seems to be a law unto itself. Last month twenty-two young women died as a result of a factory fire. They were locked in the top floor of the factory and died of smoke inhalation. Will the owners be punished? Unlikely!

I watched a TED program on slavery the other day. At the heart of the argument was the need for the rule of law. When the law can be applied without fear or favour then human rights violations can be prosecuted and criminals punished. Although Bangladesh has an elaborate legal system inherited from the British with a Supreme Court and a High Court supported by an extensive apparatus of lawyers and pleaders, it's questionable as to how effective the rule of law is in Bangladesh. The police are reluctant to stop and prosecute the drivers of the Pajeros and Lexuses because they may (almost certainly do) belong to someone with political links who will invoke them and have the policeman dismissed. So the police persecute the rickshaw wallahs and ignore the offending car drivers. People are reluctant to challenge the BCL and JL thugs because of their political links. The law is seen as partial, supporting the political power of the moment and its cronies and hangers on. Until the law is perceived to be impartial then the problems multiply. (I'm so naive as to think the law is perfect in the west. It's not - but you have a better chance of impartiality there than a rick shaw wallah does in Bangladesh).

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to a blog by a young Australian journalist, Jessica Muddit working on The Independent and newspaper here in Dhaka. Top stuff!