The political situation in Bangladesh has become very bad. Currently, the country faces an uncertain political future. Telephone calls from US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, shows that the situation is getting worse in Bangladesh. The war crimes trial and the subsequent violence have attracted global attention.

These calls were in addition to the hectic efforts made by UN envoy Taranco. He, however, has only succeeded in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table.

Opposition BNP’s demands like releasing their jailed leaders, reopening of the party’s central office, allowing them to organize political activities including rallies and processions sound reasonable.

Equally pressing are the ruling Awami League’s demands that the opposition should withdraw blockades, abstain from shutdown calls and avoid creating unrest.

However, the government’s continued incarceration of BNP leaders has made it look oppressive and dictatorial. We must warn both sides that they seem to be oblivious of how disgusted people are of their present political activities and how badly they are suffering due to violence.

While the UN was able to start the dialogue, we insist that it must be earnestly followed and a compromise reached for the sake of the people and the country. — Naseer Mullah, Riyadh