voa标准英语2008年-Bangladesh Supreme Court Denies Bail to Sheikh

In Bangladesh, the Supreme¹ Court has denied bail² to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a corruption⁴ case, effectively blocking her from taking part in general elections due to be held in December. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi for VOA on how this could impact the elections to restore democracy being organized by the country's military-backed administration.
　

Former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka, 11 Jun 2008

The Supreme Court's decision to deny bail to Awami League leader, Sheikh Hasina, came days before she is due back in the country.

She is presently in the United States on parole for medical treatment. On her return, she was expected to campaign for general elections which will end nearly two years of emergency rule in the country.

But her lawyers say the Supreme Court's decision means Sheikh Hasina will be barred from taking part in the elections. Under Bangladesh's law, people on bail can take part in the elections - but not those who are in jail or on parole.

Professor of Political Science at Dhaka University, Ataur Rahman says there are concerns that the Awami League may decide to boycott⁵ the polls if Sheikh Hasina continues to be denied bail.

"In case this is not revised, this will have negative implications for Awami League to participate in the elections. It seems so far that they would not participate in elections without Sheikh Hasina. That is the stand …. So far both [parties]) are committed to go to the elections with their top leaders," said Rahman.
　

Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia after release from detention6 in Dhaka, 11 Sep 2008

Both the leaders of the country's two main parties - Sheikh Hasina of Awami League, and Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - were jailed last year by the military-backed government on corruption charges. The two women have ruled the country for the last 17 years, and are blamed for many of its political problems.

Leaders of the emergency government had hoped to block them from Bangladeshi politics as part of a drive to clean up the country's corrupt³ politics. But analysts⁷ say the strong backing given to them by their parties made it evident that it would not be possible to hold fair and peaceful elections without them.

They were released in recent months, and hopes were high that this would clear the way for the main political parties to take part in polls.

The military government is under pressure from the international community to hold elections and restore democracy in the country.

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 bail   

v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人

参考例句：

• One of the prisoner's friends offered to bail him out.犯人的一个朋友答应保释他出来。
• She has been granted conditional bail.她被准予有条件保释。

3 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

4 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

5 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。

6 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

7 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。