By Mahmudul Hasan Raju
DHAKA, Aug 12, 2018 (BSS) – Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had initiated the process to establish rule of law in the country and it is his worthy daughter Sheikh Hasina who has completed the process.
In an interview with BSS on the contribution of Bangabandhu to the judiciary, eminent jurist and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said, “Bangabandhu had contributed to all the organs of the state, including judiciary. We can say that Bangabandhu had planted a sapling and her daughter has nurtured it to a big three.”
“Bangabandhu is the greatest Bengali of thousand years. He was honored with the title of Father of the Nation. He got such honors for his lifelong struggle for his country and its people. His ultimate goal to liberate Bangladesh and its people,” he added.
The law minister said the first thing that the Father of the Nation inserted in the constitution of Bangladesh is that the judiciary will always be independent and none will be able to interfere over it.
“The main thing in the constitution of 1972 was to ensure the independent of judiciary, which was done by Bangabandhu. Whenever he made any speech regarding judiciary, he said it clearly that judiciary will be independent and no country can develop without rule of law. We learned these things from him,” Anisul Huq added.
The law minister said if Bangabandhu was not killed by the schemers in 1975, the country’s judiciary would have a firm stand much earlier.
Senior jurist Advocate Hrishikesh Saha said the contribution of Bangabandhu in all the sectors including judiciary is as bright as the sun.
“His contribution cannot be explained in words. The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, was enacted by his government. It is a blessing that this act did not come under the evil eyes of the past autocratic governments,” Saha, a former district judge, told BSS.
“Now with the holding of trials of war criminals, Bangladesh is getting rid of the longstanding stigma. This trial process was initiated by Bangabandhu, which is now being carried out by his worthy daughter,” he added.
Meanwhile International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor Barrister Tureen Afroz said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has gifted the nation with one of the best constitutions of the world during his three and a half years tenure.
“This constitution embedded the four basic principles of our constitution and candidly guaranteed independence of judiciary for the nation. We must not forget that this constitution has established the judicial organ of the state,” she said.
“During his limited tenure, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman enacted a number of important legislations. To me the most remarkable one was The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 under which the current trials of the war criminals are going on,” she added.