DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities have blocked former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), from traveling abroad for life-saving medical treatment, igniting criticism from her supporters who see the move as political vengeance.
Healthcare is a human right.
But the ruling #AwamiLeague govt. has been depriving 78-year-old Begum Khaleda Zia, the main opposition leader of Bangladesh, from it for the past 5 years. Fascist govt. has kept her in an abandoned jail in #Dhaka since 2018 in a fabricated case,… pic.twitter.com/UOBYrFopLw
— Rifat Alam (@RifatAlam007) October 1, 2023
The decision comes as the country prepares for general elections scheduled before the end of January, raising concerns among international observers about the political climate in a nation where the ruling party dominates the legislature.
Khaleda Zia, who has been wheelchair-bound, has been hospitalized since early August due to advanced liver cirrhosis, breathing difficulties, diabetes, heart condition, rheumatoid arthritis, and knee problems, as confirmed by her doctor. Her family had recently written a plea to the government requesting permission for her to seek medical treatment abroad, citing her critical health condition.
Bangladesh Govt Rejects Zia’s Plea for Seeking Healthcare Abroad
However, Minister for Law Anisul Huq announced on Sunday that the government had rejected the plea, citing an existing executive order that prevents Zia from participating in politics and traveling abroad for medical care. According to Huq, the government would need to cancel the current executive order, requiring Zia to return to prison first and then reapply for permission to travel.
Kayser Kamal, the legal chief for BNP, condemned the decision, arguing that Zia was granted conditional release under a provision that could be used to allow her to receive medical treatment abroad. He criticized the decision as an act of political vendetta.
The move has sparked protests from tens of thousands of BNP supporters, with many demanding the government reconsider its decision. Yousuf Ali, a supporter of Zia and a British-trained barrister, argued that there were no legal impediments preventing Zia from traveling abroad for her essential life-saving treatment.
The situation surrounding Zia’s medical treatment has further intensified the political tensions in Bangladesh, with critics alleging that the government’s actions are undermining democratic principles in the country.
