Dr Kamal for national-level dialogue before 16th amendment

Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain on Monday said a national-level dialogue is needed to amend the constitution to restore parliament’s authority to impeach Supreme Court judges. “A national-level dialogue is essential to amend the constitution to give back parliament its authority to impeach judges. There’s a need for assessing public opinion at district level apart from the opinions of political parties,” he said. Dr Kamal Hossain, also the president of Gonoforum, said this while addressing a discussion meeting, titled ‘Amendment to the constitution, the impeachment of judges and its consequences’. Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujon) organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club. The Gonoforum president said, “We’ll have to assess the public opinion whether people at all want any amendment to the charter in this regard. We can’t always accept what the cabinet says. We don’t want such an amendment that takes only four days.” Addressing the meeting, prominent columnist Syed Abul Moksud said, “We’ve heard about reverting to ‘72’s constitution, but a number of questions has arisen over it creating some concern. So, the confusion and questions should be removed first before taking further steps.” He also said there are former chief justices, former attorney generals, former presidents and general secretaries of the Supreme Court Bar Association and senior lawyers who can recommend solutions to the problems. Sujon secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder said the government will have the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone if 16th amendment to the constitution takes place. He said this amendment will not only ensure the impeachment of judges but also allow dismissal of the high officials of constitutional organisations. The ruling Awami League wants to bring the 16th amendment to the constitution, aiming to restore the authority of parliament to impeach Supreme Court judges. Sujon president M Hafizuddin Khan, former Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, Dhaka University teacher Prof Asif Nazrul, Nagarik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and senior journalist Mizanur Rahman Khan also spoke at the programme. — UNB, Dhaka.