Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahaluddin Nasim has said that Bangladesh has never witnessed such misuse of legal proceedings as the interim government allegedly using murder cases to suppress dissent.
In a statement released to the media on Saturday, Nasim condemned the misuse of murder charges against political opponents.
Nasim expressed concern over the large number of murder cases filed against intellectuals, journalists, and activists since the interim government assumed office.
He described this as a blatant violation of human rights and demanded an immediate halt to these actions.
He pointed out that recently, journalists Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa were arrested and remanded in connection with a murder case in the Uttara area of Dhaka.
Furthermore, a murder case filed on Thursday in the Jatrabari police station has implicated several prominent figures, including Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, Ekattor TV Managing Director Mojammel Babu, former Ekattor TV Head of News Syed Ishtiaq Reza, and others.
Various domestic and international organizations have protested against the filing of murder cases against journalists. However, the government has reportedly ignored these protests and concerns.
No legal representation has been provided for the arrested individuals, which is a clear violation of human rights.
Nasim criticized the government for denying legal representation to those arrested and for failing to ensure the safety of a female leader under police custody, which he described as a sign of government failure.
On August 20, a so-called "mass killing" case was filed against 19 individuals, including Shahriar Kabir, historian Muntasir Mamun; and Imran H Sarker, coordinator of the Gonojagoron Moncho. The opposition views this as an attempt to silence the voices of pro-liberation forces.
The widespread filing of murder cases against Awami League leaders and activists across the country has been strongly condemned.
There is deep concern over the recent attack on Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Dipu Moni at the court premises.
The government's failure to ensure the safety of a female leader in police custody is seen as a significant failure on its part.
He also condemned the recent filing of a murder case against Sayma Wazed, daughter of Sheikh Hasina, who is an internationally recognized autism specialist.
Nasim asserted that targeting potential future opponents reflects the government's intent to eliminate dissent and is deeply troubling.
Nasim concluded by condemning the broad application of murder charges and the suppression of journalists as a serious violation of human rights.
He emphasized that a democratic state cannot be built by stifling media voices and violating human rights.
