Bangladesh Judicial Service Association, a professional body of judges and magistrates, have expressed concern about the European Parliament’s recent resolution on the human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar.
The resolution was an attempt to interfere with the judicial proceedings of an independent sovereign country, which was both unwanted and unwarranted, the association said in a press statement on Tuesday.
Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of the human rights organization, and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, its director, were recently sentenced to two years in prison in a case filed under the Information and Communication Technology Act for spreading false and fabricated news.
Bangladesh Judicial Service Association said: “It is important to note that the tribunal (Dhaka Cyber Tribunal) conducted this case impartially and diligently, relying solely on factual evidence and adhering strictly to the applicable laws. The verdict was rendered without any external influences or inducements, whether direct or indirect, from any source or for any other reason.
“It is imperative to emphasize that the judiciary of Bangladesh operates with absolute independence, having been separated from the executive [branch] on November 1, 2007. There is no intermingling of judicial proceedings and executive functions. We view the resolution as blatant interference in our judicial functions and condemn it unequivocally.
“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.
“We do hereby regret and reject the sweeping generalizations and abrupt condemnation of the judiciary of Bangladesh by the European Parliament.”
The European Parliament adopted the resolution moved by seven members by the show of hands.
Expressing deep concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh, the MEPs called on the administration in Dhaka to restore a safe and enabling environment for NGOs, human rights defenders, activists and religious minorities.
MEPs specifically deplored the prison sentence of two Odhikar leaders - Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan - handed down last Thursday, and urged the government of Bangladesh to immediately and unconditionally quash the ruling.