Staff Reporter :
False information is being spread abroad referring the case of Grameen Bank founder and Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The court sentenced against Muhammad Yunus for violation of labour law.
“The government is not harassing Dr Yunus and has not fabricated any false cases against him.
The lawsuits were filed to ensure the rights of workers following proven incidents of labour rights violations in an investigation by the Labor Department,” Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said on Thursday at a press conference held at the secretariat to address international statements and opinions alleging harassment of Prof Yunus.
There are laws in the country and the nation will run abiding the laws, he said adding that the trial is over.
“We don’t bother any external entity’s interference as the country will run as per laws of the land.
We are not talking about pending cases. But where the affairs of the government, the judiciary and the country are concerned, we cannot remain silent when there is an attempt to defame the country,” Anisul Huq said.
The Law Minister said that false and fabricated matters are being spread based on Prof Yunus cases undermining the court, the judiciary, including the dignity of Bangladesh, democracy and the continuity of justice.
On 1 January, the Dhaka Labour Court-3 sentenced four people, including Prof Yunus to six months in prison.
At the same time, they were fined Tk 30,000 each in a case filed on charges of violating labour law.
Following this verdict, 120 prominent international figures expressed their concerns through a statement.
Earlier, 12 US senators had also expressed their apprehensions regarding Prof Yunus casesr.
“No one is above the law, and if someone commits a crime, they must face the law,” said the minister.
“The country has suffered a long time from a lack of justice. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, has been the biggest victim of this impunity. We have established and will continue to establish the rule of law,” he said.
Regarding the 2017 labour cases against Dr Yunus, the law minister explained, “Labourers filed over a hundred cases against Dr Yunus for violating their rights.
These were later withdrawn after assurances were given. However, the Labor Department’s investigation suggested ongoing violations at the institution.
“Dr Yunus was warned and advised to prevent these violations but he ignored them. So, the Labor Department filed a lawsuit,” Anisul Huq added.
He also said that Dr Yunus’s appeals to dismiss the case were rejected by both the High Court and Appellate Division. “This means that the country’s highest court has approved the conduct of this case.”
The law minister said, “Dr Yunus has applied under Section 205 for adjournment of hearings in the case. The court has granted him adjournments each time he applied.
The lawyers have presented their arguments. According to the law minister, “Similarly, under Section 342, the accused has the opportunity to give a statement.
