Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim has said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has established the rule of law in Bangladesh by eradicating the culture of impunity.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a gathering of expatriate Bangladeshi lawyers at a hotel in London, UK on Tuesday.
The Minister further said, “After the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, state patronage was given by law to block the way of trial of the criminals. The Indemnity Ordinance was enacted to provide for the establishment of self-confessed murderers. They arrogantly said that no one could harm them. State-run rehabilitation and patronage of persons identified as those involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu, prison killings, killing of intellectuals and crimes against humanity was the establishment of a system of lawlessness and a culture of impunity in Bangladesh. The war criminals, the intellectuals involved in the assassination, the prison assassins and the murderers of Bangabandhu were established at different levels of the state. The rule of law was violated. Bangladesh was turned into a paradise for criminals. "
He further said, “The government led by Sheikh Hasina has established rule of law in Bangladesh by repealing the indemnity law and ensuring trial of all criminals including Bangabandhu murder, jail killing, and trial of war criminals. The culture of impunity has come to an end under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has come out of the darkness. All this has been possible because of Sheikh Hasina, a brave, faithful, patriot and honest statesman. No one in Bangladesh now commits a crime and can proudly say that he is above justice.
No matter which party he belongs to, no matter what he does, if he commits a crime, he will have to face justice. Due to the determination of Sheikh Hasina, all the crimes including Bangabandhu’s murder, jail killing, and killing of intellectuals, war crimes, BDR mutiny, and seven murders in Narayanganj have been judged. Even the former prime minister was not spared for corruption. In spite of being the leader of the ruling party, she has to face trial. "
He added, "The precondition of democracy is the rule of law. Good justice system is a prerequisite for the rule of law. The present government has taken great steps to develop the judiciary of Bangladesh with utmost importance. If anyone commits a crime in Bangladesh now, he has to face justice. "Equal application of the law to all, regardless of political party, opinion, has taken place under PM."
At the time, the minister further said, “The convicted fugitive, accused and his accomplices are engaged in anti-national conspiracies and propaganda from outside the country. Expatriates should be vocal against them. Expatriate Bangladeshi lawyers need to play an active role in building resistance against the false propaganda of the accused and his accomplices who have been jailed for corruption abroad and jailed for war crimes. ”
Barrister Anukul Talukdar Dalton hosted the function while Barrister Mohiuddin Ahmed, Barrister Chowdhury Hafizur Rahman, Barrister Manzurul Islam, Barrister Kazi Shamsul Ahsan Shuvo, Barrister Monirul Islam Monjour, Barrister Rupa, Acting General Secretary of UK Awami League Riaz Uddin and others spokes. A large number of expatriate Bangladeshi barristers and solicitors participated in the rally.