People Are the Source of Govt's Power: Mahdi Amin

Prime Minister's Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Friday said the government's authority is derived from the people, reaffirming that protecting human rights, upholding the rule of law and ensuring freedom of expression remain top priorities under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Speaking at the Bengal Delta Conference 2026 at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, Mahdi said the current government came to power through a free, fair and credible election and is committed to strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding citizens' rights.

The conference was organised by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DIRA).

Mahdi alleged that the BNP was the principal victim of political repression during what he described as the previous 16 years of authoritarian rule, citing enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths and politically motivated cases.

He, however, said the repression was not limited to a single political party, claiming that other pro-democracy political forces and many citizens who spoke out against the previous government also faced persecution.

Referring to enforced disappearances, Mahdi said victims included both political leaders and individuals with no political affiliation. While some later returned, he said many remain missing.

He also claimed that thousands of people had been killed in alleged extrajudicial incidents or died in custody, adding that more than 700 victims of enforced disappearance have yet to return.

Mahdi said the government recognises the suffering of affected families and remains committed to ensuring justice for victims.

He also referred to the personal experiences of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying his family had endured political persecution and human rights violations, giving him a deep understanding of the pain experienced by victims' families.

According to Mahdi, the current Home Minister, several cabinet members, lawmakers and political activists had themselves experienced enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention or politically motivated legal cases.

He said the present administration represents a significant break from the governance model of the past decade and a half, arguing that state institutions had previously been used to sustain authoritarian rule rather than protect citizens.

Mahdi said the government had effectively "pressed a reset button" after the political transition, adopting a reform agenda focused on empowering citizens, restoring the rule of law, protecting human rights and safeguarding freedom of expression.

He further claimed that, to the best of the government's knowledge, no incidents of human rights violations, political repression, custodial deaths or enforced disappearances had occurred during its first five months in office, expressing hope that the record would continue.

"Our objective is clear—no perpetrator should escape justice, while no innocent person should be deprived of the right to live freely in a democratic country," he said.

Mahdi added that the government is pursuing a policy of reconciliation and social harmony following the political transition, while continuing to prioritise human rights, democratic governance, women's empowerment, youth development and inclusive economic growth.