Mahdi Amin, an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said protecting human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression is the government’s central goal. He made the remarks on Friday at the Bengal Delta Conference 2026 at Hotel InterContinental in the capital, organised by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics. He said the government derives its authority from the people and took office through a free, fair and acceptable election.

Amin said the BNP, other pro-democracy parties, activists and people from different professions faced repression during the previous 16 years of authoritarian rule. He alleged that thousands of people were killed extrajudicially or died in custody, while more than 700 disappeared people have not returned. He also said the prime minister and his family had experienced human rights violations.

The spokesperson claimed there had been no incidents of human rights violations, political repression, custodial deaths or enforced disappearances during the government’s first five months. He said the administration seeks to end retaliatory politics, ensure fair justice, promote reconciliation and allow differing political views to coexist. Every ministry has set specific 180-day targets, he added, while women’s and youth empowerment and inclusive development are part of the government’s agenda.