The organizers emphasized that democracy is not a gift but a hard-earned achievement through persistent struggle

The Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN), a civil society organization advocating for democracy, honored four foreign nationals for their contributions to Bangladesh’s pro-democracy movement at an iftar event held at Hotel Sarina on Friday.

The distinguished honorees were former ambassador William B Milam, former US diplomat Jon Danilowicz, Professor Ashok Swain, and investigative journalist David Bergman.

Milam, who served in Dhaka between August 1990 and October 1993, has been a vocal supporter of Bangladesh’s democratic aspirations in his capacity as a Senior Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC.

Danilowicz, a former American diplomat who was posted to Dhaka multiple times from the 1980s to the early 2010s, has been a persistent advocate against the erosion of democracy, human rights abuses and rise of fascism in Bangladesh.

He has actively countered misinformation in global media and challenged narratives that obscure Bangladesh’s political realities, making him a prominent voice in international discourse on the country’s democratic struggle.

Professor Swain, an Indian-born Swedish scholar, has gained recognition for his fearless critiques of rising hate politics in India.

Declared persona non grata in his homeland, he continues to champion democracy, justice, and human dignity on a global scale through his academic work and public engagements.

Bergman, an investigative journalist, was recognized for his role in exposing the flaws of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal.

During a period of heightened political repression, he documented inconsistencies and flaws in the trials, facing significant hostility and legal censorship while upholding the principles of journalistic integrity.

Amidst state-sponsored reactive fervor, he stood as a rational voice, systematically gathering data to expose a serious miscarriage of justice.

On behalf of BRAIN, a few prominent members of the political and civil society handed over crests to them.

Dr Rumi Ahmed Khan, convenor of BRAIN, delivered the welcome speech, while Shafiqur Rahman, executive officer of BRAIN, made the concluding remarks.

The organizers of the event emphasized the significance of these individuals’ contributions, saying these four distinguished figures have given Bangladesh something invaluable—the courage to resist, the clarity to see through deception, and the integrity to fight for what is right.

They said that democracy is not a gift but a hard-earned achievement through persistent struggle.

They noted that various catalysts shape this journey, and as allies, the activists’ efforts serve as a testament to a shared fight.

Their commitment, they added, underscores the idea that injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere, and that truth must always come forward, even under intense scrutiny from those in power.

The event was attended by members of Bangladesh’s interim government, leaders of the BNP, NCP, and other political parties, as well as prominent figures from civil society and the business community.

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This article was originally published by Dhaka Tribune