Govt prioritizes justice for crimes against humanity, minister says.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today said ensuring justice for crimes against humanity is the government's primary objective, stressing that the judicial process is not aimed at targeting any particular individual.
"Among those who were involved in these crimes were political executives as well. However, the objective of the judicial process is not to target any particular individual, but to ensure justice for the crimes that were committed," he said.
The minister was speaking at a function marking US Constitution Day at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University this morning.
Organised by Dhaka University Faculty of Law, the function was chaired by its Dean Prof Dr Muhammad Ekramul Haque.
US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen addressed the function as guest of honour, while Dhaka University Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Abdus Salam attended the function as special guest.
Regarding evidence in the judicial process, the Law Minister said the government has sufficient materials in these cases. "We have sufficient materials. The evidence is so strong that any tribunal in the world would have to reach the conclusion, beyond reasonable doubt, that the crimes were committed," he said.
Highlighting the keen interest of the general public in the Constitution of Bangladesh, Asaduzzaman said it is not merely a subject of discussion among legal experts; various provisions and amendments of the constitution, their applicability and people's rights are also widely discussed at tea stalls even in remote parts of the country.
"Such dialogues are helping people become more aware of their rights and responsibilities. That is why we are proud," he said.
Referring to the influence of philosophers' ideas on constitution-making, the minister said the framers of the US Constitution had worked with the theories of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Montesquieu. He noted that these political philosophies also had an influence on the drafting of Bangladesh's Constitution.
The law minister also praised some policy positions taken by successive US administrations towards Bangladesh. He said that despite changes in government, there has been continuity in certain fundamental values and policies.
He observed that the US stance on issues such as freedom of expression, ending arbitrary arrests and detention and freedom of association and assembly has encouraged the people of Bangladesh in their struggle for democracy and the rule of law.
"These values have encouraged the people of Bangladesh to fight against authoritarianism and fascism," Asaduzzaman added.
Highlighting the government's "zero tolerance" policy towards enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, the Law Minister said such incidents have remained almost non-existent over the past more than six months.
He also said that there have been no reports in recent times of police filing false cases against political opponents.
The law minister said the government wants to move forward under constitutional governance, with good governance being one of its highest priorities in the present circumstances.
