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Sara also pointed out that there was not a single female member in the Consensus Commission, formed during the interim government. Similarly, no female lawyers or judges were included in the Judicial Reform Commission.

She further commented that the public had no clear understanding of the third question in the referendum.

Addressing the participants, she asked, “Raise your hands and tell me how many of you can say what the 30 proposals were? ... I don’t think you even know what you voted for.

“This is a big question. You are voting, but for what?... Yes or no, we know that. But if I don’t know what I’m voting for, then how much value does that vote really have?”

She also spoke about the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance and the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, expressing the view that these two laws from the interim period should be reinstated.

“We don’t want to go back to a situation where those in the executive use the judiciary as a tool to suppress their political opponents. This basic change is what we seek, and these two laws were necessary to achieve it so that those seeking justice, regardless of their political identity, can receive justice.

Sara said, “... These laws are definitely needed again. Any minor improvements that can be made are still possible, and this is something that should be discussed now.

“As the judiciary does not have full control, especially financial control, it has to go through a long process. They should be freed from that process,” she said, adding, “Having a secretariat is absolutely essential; this has been an aspiration for us for more than 50 years.”

Referring to the forced exile of former chief justice SK Sinha during the Awami League government, Sara said that despite so many years passing, civil society has not raised demands for accountability or resolution. “Let it be resolved. Let us find out who was involved.”

She added that even after the July uprising, Appellate Division judges of the Supreme Court had to resign in the face of student protests. Under pressure from their demands, several judges were abruptly removed, some of whom were quite competent.

She also alleged that former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque, who delivered the verdict in the fifteenth amendment case regarding the caretaker government system, has been “falsely” implicated in the July killing case.

“So many months have passed, and there is still no charge sheet, yet it is being said that Justice Khairul Haque stood there and fired shots or ordered shootings.

“We are not speaking up about this. Civil society, Shujan, the Bangladesh Bar Council, or bar associations. No one is speaking; we are all silent.”

At the discussion, Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury also criticised the government for repealing two ordinances.

He said, “These are undoubtedly regressive steps. These are ominous signs. These are red flags. This will not bode well for the nation. You know, the law minister has assured the nation that at a subsequent stage they will come up with new drafts of improved laws in this regard. But in our country, it is very risky and unwise to take the words of a politician and face them.”

Among others, lawyers Tanim Hussain Shawon, Imran Abdullah Siddiq, and Fahim Mashroor, co-coordinator of Nagarik Coalition, spoke on the occasion.