UNB, Dhaka :
BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Saturday said their party will set up a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court (SC) if it is voted to power in the future.
“We’ll establish a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court by enacting a law to protect the independence of the judiciary, if we return to power,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with the comment while speaking at a roundtable titled ‘The Independence of the Judiciary and the Present Context’ arranged by Swadhinata Odhikar Andolan at the Jatiya Press Club.
Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said lower court judges are still under the Law Ministry. “It won’t be possible to ensure absolute independence of the judiciary until the Supreme Court is given the responsibility for recruitment, promotion and transfer of the lower court judges.”
He said, their party thinks the judiciary will be completely independent cutting its dependence on the government and Law and Justice Division once the secretariat is constituted.
The BNP leader also termed historic the Supreme Court verdict upholding the High Court verdict that scrapped the parliament’s power to remove SC judges. “It’s fortified the freedom of the judiciary further, paving the way for ensuring justice. It’ll work as a safeguard for the judiciary.”
He said, the country’s people want to see the rule of law and equal opportunity for all to exercise all rights.
He said those in the government are talking about reverting to the 1972 constitution should be ashamed of as Awami League had established one-party Baksal rule by defying and tearing down that charter.
Moudud, a former law minister, said those who framed the 1972 constitution they themselves destroyed it through amendments for snatching people’s all basic and democratic rights, freedom of the press and the judiciary.
He alleged that the government wanted to control the judiciary through the 16th amendment. “It was their evil design to intimidate the judges so that they don’t give any verdict against the government.”
Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the Attorney General voiced dissatisfaction over the annulment to the 16th amendment while the country’s people got delighted over it.
“They (AL leaders) said the annulment to the 16th amendment has proved the judiciary is independent. If this is the case, way did you want to wait for giving your reaction to it until the full verdict is released?” he questioned.
Manna said the SC verdict is a slap on the face of the government and the 10th parliament.
Supreme Court Bar Association general secretary Mahbub Uddin Khokon said people’s hopes and aspirations have been reflected on the SC verdict over the 16th amendment.
He demanded the government formulate a guideline immediately for the recruitment of judges. “We want no judge to be appointed before making the guideline.”
BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Saturday said their party will set up a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court (SC) if it is voted to power in the future.
“We’ll establish a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court by enacting a law to protect the independence of the judiciary, if we return to power,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with the comment while speaking at a roundtable titled ‘The Independence of the Judiciary and the Present Context’ arranged by Swadhinata Odhikar Andolan at the Jatiya Press Club.
Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said lower court judges are still under the Law Ministry. “It won’t be possible to ensure absolute independence of the judiciary until the Supreme Court is given the responsibility for recruitment, promotion and transfer of the lower court judges.”
He said, their party thinks the judiciary will be completely independent cutting its dependence on the government and Law and Justice Division once the secretariat is constituted.
The BNP leader also termed historic the Supreme Court verdict upholding the High Court verdict that scrapped the parliament’s power to remove SC judges. “It’s fortified the freedom of the judiciary further, paving the way for ensuring justice. It’ll work as a safeguard for the judiciary.”
He said, the country’s people want to see the rule of law and equal opportunity for all to exercise all rights.
He said those in the government are talking about reverting to the 1972 constitution should be ashamed of as Awami League had established one-party Baksal rule by defying and tearing down that charter.
Moudud, a former law minister, said those who framed the 1972 constitution they themselves destroyed it through amendments for snatching people’s all basic and democratic rights, freedom of the press and the judiciary.
He alleged that the government wanted to control the judiciary through the 16th amendment. “It was their evil design to intimidate the judges so that they don’t give any verdict against the government.”
Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the Attorney General voiced dissatisfaction over the annulment to the 16th amendment while the country’s people got delighted over it.
“They (AL leaders) said the annulment to the 16th amendment has proved the judiciary is independent. If this is the case, way did you want to wait for giving your reaction to it until the full verdict is released?” he questioned.
Manna said the SC verdict is a slap on the face of the government and the 10th parliament.
Supreme Court Bar Association general secretary Mahbub Uddin Khokon said people’s hopes and aspirations have been reflected on the SC verdict over the 16th amendment.
He demanded the government formulate a guideline immediately for the recruitment of judges. “We want no judge to be appointed before making the guideline.”
