BJSA slams EU Parliament’s resolution

City Desk :
The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) expressed its deep concern and objection to the recent EU parliament resolution addressing the human rights situation in Bangladesh, asserting that it amounts to an unwarranted attempt to interfere with the judicial processes of a sovereign, independent nation.

The European Parliament on September 14 adopted a resolution, addressing the human rights situation in Bangladesh, particularly the Odhikar case, reports UNB.

The resolution deplored prison sentences of Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and Director Nasiruddin Elan and called on the Bangladesh government to “immediately and unconditionally rescind the penalty and reinstate Odikhar’s registration.”

In response, the BJSA published a statement calling the resolution an attempt to interfere in the judicial process of an independent country which, according to organization, is “both unwanted and unwarranted.”

Bangladesh Judicial Service Association is a professional association of lower court judges and magistrates.

A criminal case was filed at the concerned Police Station on August 10, 2013 against Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan and Mr. ASM Nasiruddin Elan, under section 57 of the ICT Act, 2006 for spreading false and fabricated news.

Subsequently, the Cyber Tribunal in Dhaka commenced the trial on January 8, 2014, culminating in the delivery of a verdict on September 14, 2023.

The BJSA noted that the tribunal conducted the case “impartially and diligently, relying solely on factual evidence and adhering strictly to the applicable laws.”

“The verdict was rendered without any external influences, inducements, whether direct or indirect, from any source or for any other reason,” the statement reads.

The BJSA highlighted separation of Bangladesh’s judiciary from other branches of the government in its statement which according to the organisation, effectively “eliminates any overlap or interference of judicial proceedings with executive functions.”

“We find it paradoxical that, on one hand, the judiciary is criticized for its substantial backlog of cases, and yet, on the other hand, it is vilified for resolving a long-standing case through the due judicial process,” the statement reads.

“We do hereby regret and reject the sweeping generalizations and abrupt condemnation of the Judiciary of Bangladesh by the European Parliament,” the organization said in conclusion.