United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said the fascists and their allies must be ousted from the judiciary first in a bid to ensure the actual independence of the judiciary in the country. “To make judicial independence truly effective, fascists must be ousted from the lower and upper judiciary,” he told reporters in the afternoon after the ninth day of the second round of reform dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Salahuddin alleged that certain collaborators of fascist forces are still in the lower judiciary, who unlawfully punished political activists, journalists and people from all classes and professions through night court sessions. “We should not protect these fascists (judges) anymore. We want a judiciary -- both of the upper and lower tiers-- free from allies of the fascists,” he said. He said job termination, transfer or departmental actions are sufficient against the allies of the fascists rather they will have to be tried for their individual criminal liability. “Their individual criminal liability must be fixed. It’s not enough to just terminate their jobs — they must also be held accountable and tried for their criminal offenses,” he added. BNP slams BTRC’s draft telecom policy, calls it inappropriate before polls Only then, Salahuddin argued, can genuine judicial independence be implemented. “Otherwise, if these fascists remain in both tiers of the judiciary, they will continue to be the sole beneficiaries of whatever reforms we undertake to ensure the independence of the judiciary. That is our clear position.” He warned that if the judiciary is run by them, even the strictest of laws will be misused. Many of these fascist collaborators — some involved in serious crimes, even crimes against humanity — are easily securing bail from the district level court to the High Court. These things (granting bails) are done by the allies of the fascists. BNP extends maximum support for national reform consensus: Salahuddin The BNP leader said they want a judiciary to be completely independent --constitutionally and legally-- and one whose benefits are enjoyed by the people. “But first, these fascists must be removed from the judiciary,” he said.

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said limiting the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years will help curb autocracy and fascism, expressing the hope that the ongoing talks will lead to a national consensus on reforms. “Many of you have talked a lot about reforms here. But no one has expressed disappointment because we are all optimistic,” he told a discussion. The BNP leader said the National Consensus Commission is taking too much time for discussions on the reform proposals. “But I believe we will be able to reach a consensus at one point.” He said the nation has already seen what considerations the BNP has taken in the national interest to come to a consensus. “We have said that no person can sit as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for more than 10 years. Through this, the emergence of dictatorship and fascism has been stopped.” He went on to say, “Isn't it a great achievement of ours that we limited the term of the Prime Minister to 10 years?” Nagorik Oikya arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 13th founding anniversary. Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said all the constitutional and democratic institutions of the state must be built on a strong foundation as a safeguard for democracy. He said there is no alternative to establishing an independent Election Commission in the country to prevent the rise of dictatorship. “If a truly independent Election Commission can conduct elections under a caretaker government system, then the rise of dictatorship can be stopped in this country. A strong democratic structure cannot be built by weakening the executive branch alone,” the BNP leader said. He said freedom of the press is also necessary for safeguarding and consolidating democracy. “A country where press freedom is 100% is a country where democracy is 100%… We all, from the political parties and the government, will cooperate to ensure press freedom.” The BNP leader said all organs of the state should be allowed to operate independently within their legal and constitutional jurisdiction, instead of limiting the authority of any one. “There should be harmonious cooperation among all the organs of the state.” “The executive branch must be allowed to perform its duties, the judiciary must be allowed to carry out its responsibilities, and the legislature must do its job of making laws. This is where a complete balance of power lies,” he said. If this is ensured, Salahuddin said, no organ will be able then to exert control over another or interfere in its functions. “Each will act as a balancing force, serving as a safeguard for the others." He also emphasised the need for ensuring full independence of the judiciary. “If we can guarantee judicial independence constitutionally, it will act as a safeguard for democracy. Secondly, freedom of the media must be ensured. And third, a caretaker government system must be established during the election period." The BNP leader said the caretaker government system to oversee the national election has already been reinstated as all parties have reached a consensus on it. He said they have brought reforms to Article 70 based on consensus among the political parties. “Now we have made another proposal that in the presidential election, MPs from both sides will vote freely through a secret ballot. That will be another milestone, another revolution.” Salahuddin said if the executive branch is restricted in every area legally and constitutionally, it would become weak, making it difficult to run the state and the government. He suggested that if each branch — the executive, the judiciary and the legislature — worked within its own boundaries, then true reform of the state would be possible. The BNP leader also said they want kind of reform which would not diminish the powers of any branch of the state. He said they also want reforms that would help build a strong democratic state structure. “We want reforms through which the state structure will be reformed, the constitution will undergo democratic changes, and as a result, the nation will be able to achieve economic emancipation.” Salahuddin said they are observing a growing tendency to control the executive branch as much as possible through the efforts of the National Consensus Commission. “But we cannot weaken or abolish the executive branch just because one individual once became a dictator. Similarly, dictatorship once emerged in a parliamentary system, but that does not mean we can weaken or abolish the legislature.” He said it is necessary to ensure checks and balances, harmonious cooperation, and a constructive relationship between state organs, while building safeguards for democracy by strengthening all institutions accordingly.  

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said their party does not endorse mob culture and will take disciplinary action if any of its activists are found involved in the incident of former Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda. "We do not believe in mob culture, we have relentlessly been struggling to establish the rule of law. We want the rule of law to be established in the country,” he told UNB. Salahuddin said BNP wants court verdicts implemented with transparency and expects due legal process in the arrest and trial of Nurul Huda. “But we don’t support the humiliating treatment he was subjected to. It was an isolated incident. If any BNP leader or activist is found involved in it, we will take disciplinary action following an investigation….this is our clear stance,” he said. Govt warns against mob justice, vows action against chaos creators Salahuddin said BNP wants every person, no matter how serious he did, to enjoy his legal and constitutional rights. “No matter how big a criminal he is, his legal and constitutional rights should not be violated," he added. On Sunday night, former CEC Nurul Huda, who oversaw the 2018 national election, was arrested after a mob assaulted him at his Uttara residence in the capital. A video that went viral on social media shows Huda was dressed in a white T-shirt and Lungi with a garland of shoes around his neck. At one stage, a man strikes Huda in the face with a shoe. The video drew widespread criticism. Criticising Huda for his role in weakening democratic institutions, Salahuddin said, "Nurul Huda is one of the few persons responsible for destroying democracy in Bangladesh and completely destroying the electoral system.” Khulna AL leader beaten up by mob before being taken into police custody Salahuddin said several other persons are responsible for completely corrupting and destroying several state constitutional institutions to prolong Sheikh Hasina's fascist rule. He said just like former Chief Justice Khairul Haque, a few others are also responsible for corrupting and demolishing important constitutional bodies. “But we do not believe in such toxic culture or mob justice,” said the BNP Standing Committee member.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday submitted allegations of abduction and enforced disappearance against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six others with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Salahuddin arrived at the ICT around 11:15am with a BNP-backed lawyers’ team led by Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kayser Kamal. Later, they handed over the copy of allegations to Chief Prosecutor of the ICT Advocate Md Tajul Islam. The accused include former Inspector General of Police (IGPs) Benazir Ahmed, Shahidul Haque, former Special Branch (SB) Chief Monirul Islam, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, and retired army officer Ziaul Ahsan. ICT issues arrest warrant for Hasina, Asaduzzaman Speaking to the media, Salahuddin said, “The nation demands justice. Not only for incidents in July-August, but all killings, disappearances, and torture during the previous regime must be addressed. This is the BNP’s commitment.” He urged the victims of forced disappearance and extrajudicial killings under the ‘fascist regime’ to file complaints and called on the government to increase logistical support to the tribunal to ensure justice. On October 15 last, Salahuddin filed his own disappearance complaint. He had gone missing from Uttara on March 10, 2015 and was found in Shillong of India on May 11 of the same year. ICT prosecutors, investigation officers empowered to arrest without warrant   Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last, he returned home on August 11.

Highlighting the contribution of BNP to the country, party senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday called it the protector of Bangladesh’s freedom and sovereignty. Speaking as the chief guest at a new member collection drive for the party at Sylhet Shilpakala Academy, he said, “Without BNP there would have been no multi-party democracy, no parliamentary system and no caretaker government system in Bangladesh. BNP is the guardian of Bangladesh’s freedom and sovereignty.” Labeling BNP as the party of people, he said, “As long as BNP exists, the independence and sovereignty of the country will remain intact. A weak BNP means a weakened Bangladesh.” He said anyone who believes in Bangladeshi nationalism and identifies as a Bangladeshi can become a member of the party as it embodies the very essence of this land and its people. Criticising recent claims about BNP’s new member collection from the fallen Awami League, he questioned, “Is BNP in such a crisis that it must import members from the Awami League? Why would we invite people from a party whose DNA lacks democracy? BNP’s Salahuddin accuses interim govt of siding with NCP The BNP leader said people drove away the Awami League from the country on August 5 last for their oppression and accused it of being behind one of the worst genocides in the country’s history. Presided over by BNP’s organising secretary for Sylhet Division GK Gaus, assistant organising secretary Miftah Siddiqui conducted the event. M Rasheduzzaman Millat, treasurer of BNP National Executive Committee, BNP Chairperson’s advisers Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Ariful Haque Chowdhury and MA Malik, among others, spoke at the event.

BNP on Tuesday proposed that the Chief Justice be appointed from among the top two to three most senior judges of the Appellate Division to avoid the possibility of controversial appointments in the future. The proposal came during a dialogue on Tuesday with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad. Speaking to the media during the session's lunch break, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed explained the party’s position. "The Reform Commission has recommended that the most senior judge of the Supreme Court be appointed Chief Justice. We disagree. Based on past inconsistencies in state affairs, we believe that if only one option is fixed and no alternatives exist, it may pave the way for controversial individuals to assume the role. As we aim to ensure complete judicial independence, such risks should be eliminated,” he said. Salahuddin said that there should be at least two or three alternatives among the senior-most judges of the Appellate Division. "That space is yet to be accepted. Discussions are still going on," he added. Citing the principle of necessity, he said, “Necessity makes law. National security is the supreme law to us. It is practical to keep some options available, as otherwise the state might fall into undesirable hands.” On the issue of the Cabinet's structure, Salahuddin mentioned differences in interpretation. "They said the Cabinet would be collectively led by the Prime Minister, but this undermines the Prime Minister’s authority. We argued that the Prime Minister’s authority must be clearly upheld." 2 justices sworn in as Appellate Division judges Regarding the Reform Commission’s proposal to limit a person to serving as Prime Minister for a maximum of two terms, BNP disagreed. The party suggests that a person may return to the post after a break following two terms. But in a previous meeting, the discussion leaned towards allowing a person to serve three terms in total, which BNP has reportedly taken positively. “Wait for the alternative proposal. They haven’t formally presented it to us yet,” said Salahuddin. About the separation of leadership roles, he said, "There was discussion around ensuring that one individual does not simultaneously hold the positions of Prime Minister, party chief, and parliamentary leader. The parliamentary party of the majority party in the House should decide who becomes Prime Minister. It is not mandatory for the party head to hold that post. There are global examples of this."   "Whoever becomes Prime Minister should also serve as Leader of the House. This is a tradition. Although some countries have separated these roles, the Leader of the House here holds no executive power, and the two roles are essentially inseparable," he added. On the topic of a non-partisan caretaker government, Salahuddin said BNP agreed with proposals for a 14-member advisory council, routine duties of the council, and that in the event of the Chief Advisor’s resignation, one of the advisors would be nominated to the post. The party also agreed that no political symbols would be allotted in local government elections. Regarding law enforcement and human rights, he said, “We are broadly in agreement but more discussion is needed. The armed forces, police, and other units are constitutionally defined as disciplined forces. So any abrupt provision could cause imbalance. This needs careful consideration.” Salahuddin also spoke in favour of a bicameral legislature. “We support a two-chamber Parliament. They have proposed the name 'Senate' for the upper house and 'Jatiya Sangsad' for the lower. We agree.” Three HC justices, who barred from activities for 5-yr, step down On women’s representation, BNP supports reserving 100 of the 400 lower house seats for women but expressed differing views on the election method for those seats. Salahuddin Ahmed also said BNP proposed increasing the President’s powers. “We’re considering what specific powers can be entrusted to the President that may be exercised independently of the Prime Minister. Details will be disclosed later.”

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has once again extended financial assistance to Julhas Molla, a 28-year-old youth from Manikganj, for the modification and repair of the aircraft he built with his own hands. On behalf of Tarique, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed handed over the cash assistance to Julhas at a simple ceremony held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday. After receiving the money, Julhas thanked the BNP acting chairman for standing beside him for the second time, demonstrating the party’s sincerity in nurturing talent. Speaking at the programme, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “This programme is a symbolic manifestation of how sincere Tarique Rahman is in recognising talent. He will continue to do so in the future as well.” He said many talented boys and girls like Julhas, in different parts of the country, including rural areas, fall behind prematurely due to the lack of state facilities and support, and thus they cannot become assets to the nation. SDF provides financial assistance to families of martyrs and injured in July-August student uprising The BNP leader said their leader, Tarique Rahman, will stand by talented people who have the potential to become assets to the state if given the right support. He said Tarique has taken the responsibility for many underprivileged people and distressed families through Amra BNP Poribar or under the party’s banner. Salahuddin said BNP works for the country, its people and for supporting meritorious people, regardless of whether the party is in power or not. Earlier on 5 March, Amra BNP Paribar, on behalf of Tarique Rahman, provided financial assistance to Julhas. Julhas Molla, son of farmer Jalil Molla and an electrician from Shaitgar Teota village in Shibalaya upazila, built an ultra-light aircraft and successfully flew it. The aircraft, weighing over 100 kilograms, was entirely handcrafted by Julhas using a mix of aluminum, stainless steel, and iron. 245 injured victims of July-Aug mass uprising given financial assistance: Sargis As he requires financial support to modify the aircraft by installing a new engine and carrying out some repairs, Tarique extended his helping hand to the talented youth.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said they will seek opinions from the home and law ministries and will act based on their decisions regarding BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed. "Any person needs to have valid documents to travel from one country to another. I don't know whether he (Salahuddin) has valid documents. If he doesn't have valid documents, he'll have to apply through the Bangladesh mission," he said while talking to a small group of reporters. Read more: Indian Shillong Judge Court upholds acquittal of BNP leader Salahuddin The judge's court in India's Shillong has reportedly upheld a magistrate court's verdict that acquitted BNP leader Salahuddin in a case filed over trespassing into the country in 2015. In the short order, the judge's court also asked the Indian government to take necessary steps to send Salahuddin back to Bangladesh. "I don't know details of the matter yet," said the state minister, adding that they follow the home and law ministries' decisions if any Bangladeshi convict gets imprisoned abroad.