Dhaka University Teachers' Association and the Association of Universities of Bangladesh on Thursday expressed concerns over the issuance of an open letter by over 160 global leaders to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Dhaka University Teachers' Association has expressed its concerns over the letter.
The letter asked the prime minister to suspend the ongoing judicial proceedings against Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus immediately.
The association said that the letter issued addressing the premier seems to have a political motive behind it. It also called on all quarters to show due respect to the country’s independence, sovereignty, independent judiciary and labour law.
“As far as we know the native countries of the signatories of the letter also put the highest importance and respect to labour rights and the law of a state,” the association said in the statement.
They also mentioned that the court has found Muhammad Yunus guilty of tax evasion.
Terming the letter unnecessary, the association mentioned that the judiciary of the country performs its duties independently according to the Section 94(4) of the Constitution. They found the letter tantamount to interfering into the country’s sovereignty.
Questioning the global leaders over their silence on the rights of the labours, the teachers association said such letters go against the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the rights ensured by the labour law in the country.
They said that the people of the country who have achieved liberation through great sacrifices would not accept such illegal, unconstitutional and unexpected statements by the global leaders.
Meanwhile, the Association of Universities of Bangladesh on Thursday issued a statement saying that an open letter issued by over 160 global leaders to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come to its attention.
The association called on the persons issuing the letter to withdraw their statement.
In its statement, the association said that the judiciary of Bangladesh is free and all court proceedings are carried out according to the law, where no one has the ability to interfere.
Following Article 22 of the Constitution, the judiciary has been separated from the executive organ.
According to the Constitution, all citizens have the right to seek justice, and the law is equal for all.
“We strongly state that, there is a rule of law in the country, and no one is above the law. Without knowing the law and the judiciary of the country, without necessary analysis, issuing an unexpected letter or statement on a sub judice matter is tantamount to unconstitutional interference in the independent proceedings of the judiciary and the judicial system of a country that achieved its independence through the sacrifices of 30 lakh lives and through a nine-month Liberation War, which is tantamount to a threat to an independent and sovereign country. This is in no way expected,” the AU statement said.
