By Enayet Kabir
According to the political understanding surrounding the February 12 manipulated election, are Muhammad Yunus and his associates about to be quickly relieved of charges of “treason”? Mohammad Asaduzzaman, who was the Attorney General of the Yunus government and is now the Law Minister, has stated that 133 ordinances issued by the Yunus government will be brought to Parliament in the form of bills.
Local Government Minister Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed have clearly stated that there will be no trial for the killing of police during the political violence of July–August 2024. In other words, the BNP government appears to be active in granting “immunity” to the Yunus government.
A new controversy has already arisen after former Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus took Special Security Force (SSF) protection for one year even after the interim government’s tenure ended. According to the 2006 Special Security Ordinance, the President, Prime Minister, and the Chief Adviser of the then caretaker government are considered “Very Important Persons” (VIPs) for three months after leaving office and receive designated security benefits including SSF protection. Has that ordinance been amended?
Although a political government was formed following the February 12 manipulated election, “citizen security” in Bangladesh remains concerning. Even under a political government, there is no sign of “democratic” behavior by the state. The judiciary appears to be under government control. For one and a half years, cultural figures, journalists, political leaders, and activists have been imprisoned in “murder cases.”
If a person commits a crime, he must be tried—but accusing people of murder without bail for years is a clear violation of human rights. If there are allegations other than murder, the state can conduct a judicial investigation. But can it be considered justice to deny bail for one and a half years and keep someone detained as a murder accused?
How much longer will journalists Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Anis Alamgir, Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa remain in prison? What are the charges against them? If they praised Sheikh Hasina, is that a punishable offence?
If they received any unlawful special privileges from the government, that can be tried separately. But detaining them without trial is a threat to citizen security. It is worth noting that the current BNP government is continuing the legacy of the “International Crimes Tribunal,” allegedly influenced by war-crimes accused Jamaat. Although Awami League leader Selina Hayat Ivy secured bail from the High Court in five cases, she was not released after being shown as “arrested” in another case.
President Shahabuddin has already made serious allegations against the Yunus government, stating that 133 ordinances were issued without informing him. In that case, all ordinances of the Yunus government should be considered voidable.
A government gazette issued on February 10 declared Dr. Yunus a Very Important Person for one year from the date of transferring responsibility as Chief Adviser of the interim government. The gazette was issued by order of the President and stated to take effect immediately. Due to many decisions taken during the Yunus government’s tenure, public resentment has grown. In that context, questions are being raised in public discourse as to whether this extended security is an attempt to ensure long-term protection.
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If Muhammad Yunus requires security, then the same time limit should apply equally to other former state office holders of equivalent rank. Supporters of Dr. Yunus argue that considering the country’s political realities and personal security risks, providing one year of security is not unusual. The issue is not only about personal security; it also involves the principle of equality in law. If ensuring security for someone who has served at the highest level of the state is necessary, then equal application of the law is equally important.
If there are specific allegations of crimes against anyone, their responsibility must be determined. If the “beneficiary political group” of the manipulated election grants “special consideration” to exempt anyone from treason allegations currently discussed in society, its political and social impact will be far-reaching.
If Sheikh Hasina ordered any unlawful or “extrajudicial” killings and the crime is proven, that would be her personal crime. If journalists supported or praised her development work, why should they be imprisoned on that basis? Many people have been in prison for months without bail. The “interim government” ignored all demands. There has still been no change in this regard. For the sake of citizen security, the tactic of filing case after case to detain opposition members must be stopped.
(The writer is a political and economic analyst)
