Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain said seeking justice is a moral right. It is not like begging for alms.
He vowed that the lawyers’ community will no longer observe the incidents of abduction silently, rather they will raise their voice against it.
The eminent jurist and author of Bangladesh’s constitution said this at a protest programme, held yesterday on the district court premises, as a tribute to Chandan Sarker, a lawyer who had recently been killed after being abducted.
He said the gruesome killing of Chandan was a wake-up call for all.
Dr Kamal called for the preservation of unity of the Narayanganj lawyers’ community.
The programme was attended by Subrata Chowdhury of the Central Lawyers Association, Zakir Hossain, Narayanganj District Lawyers’ Association general secretary, among others. Narayanganj District Lawyers’ Association President Sakhawat Hossain presided over the programme. A cheque worth Tk2 lakh was handed over to the deceased’s family at the programme.
The district lawyers walked out of the court in the morning to join the protest programme following a full court reference held in remembrance of Chandan.
In his address, Dr Kamal Hossain said the killing of seven individuals including Chandan Sarker was the sensational issue that gripped not only the Narayanganj residents but also shocked everyone across the country.
“We cannot wait for 25-30 years for justice,” he said.
Pointing at the lawyers, Dr Kamal said: “Do not bow down to those who take bribes. Rather, stick to fundamental principles. If you cannot foster unity and have principles, tear up your uniform.”
He said a neutral view should be held in terms of the application of laws.
It would be unwise if the killers and those killed were labelled in terms of political perspective, added Kamal.
The eminent jurist urged the lawyers’ community to overcome fear and raise their voices. “Let us start doing that from Narayanganj,” he said.
The lawyers’ association has declared that they will not go to court and fight on behalf of the accused in the case of the murder of seven individuals that occurred in Narayanganj.