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Protect judiciary from politicisation

Speakers tell discussion on first death anniversary of Barrister Ishtiaque Ahmed

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Prominent lawyers, politicians, journalists and civil society members at a discussion yesterday called for protecting the judiciary from politicisation and all forms of interference and undue pressure.
The independence of the judiciary is at stake and it should be protected for the sake of the nation and democracy, they said and underscored the need for separation of the judiciary from the executive.
The Law Reporters' Forum organised the discussion in memory of prominent lawyer and former advisor of caretaker government Barrister Ishtiaque Ahmed on the occasion of his first death anniversary.
The speakers said Barrister Ishtiaque was a pioneer in upholding the independence of the judiciary and establishing the rule oflaw.
They urged the people to unite against the law-breakers and help build a society based on the rule of law and justice.
"The independence of the judiciary should be protected at any cost for the sake of democracy and the Constitution," said Dr Kamal Hossain, president of the Gono Forum.
He added that the judiciary should also be insulated from political interference and group interests.
Dr Kamal observed that the judiciary was being seriously affected by the interference of the government and the ruling party.
Recalling the memory of Ishtiaque Ahmed, he said Ishtiaque always took a very strong position on the protection of thejudiciary and the Constitution.
He recalled that Ishtiaque Ahmed had resigned from the post of attorney general when he was asked to approve a proposal that tormented his conscience.
As an adviser of the caretaker government, Barrister Ishtiaque had formulated all rules and regulations for
the separation ofjudiciary, he said.
Barrister Amir-Ul Islam said the country is now in danger as the government was making the judiciary ineffective.
He said the judiciary has no freedom. The country has been pushed towards grave crisis through rendering thejudiciary powerless, he added.
Barrister Islam said the government has completed all processes to bring the lower court under its control. "Judges are being appointed from the party men," he added.
Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, however, said the judiciary has been enjoying full freedom and 100 to 150 writs are being issued against the government every day.
The minister categorically denied the allegation of politicisation of the judiciary, saying that none of the judges has been appointed without consultations with the chief justice since the four-party alliance government assumed the office.
He said the image of the judiciary has been tarnished by unjustified statements.
The law minister regretted that the civil society has also been divided into many groups.
Paying tributes to Barrister Ishtiaque, he said Ishtiaque always fought for the causes of the nation, not of any particular group or political party.
Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan said Barrister Ishtiaque dedicated his life to establishing the rule of law in the society.
Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam called for a social movement to establish the rule of law.
Barrister Ishtiaque personified the rule of law, he said and urged all to fulfil his dream of establishing the rule of law.
Mahfuz Anam said the society would not survive if the people do not abide by rules and laws. Laws
are being violated by every quarter in every sector, he added.
Attorney General AF Hasan Ariff, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, Muzahidul Islam Selim of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Hasanul Haque Inu of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Barrister M Zahir also spoke.
Journalist Faruque Quazi presided over the discussion held at the National Press Club.