All murders during past 17 years will be tried: Law Minister 

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Md Asaduzzaman has said that all murders committed over the past 17 years will be brought to justice, pledging to establish the rule of law and judicial independence.

“All the murders that have taken place in the last 17 years will be tried. Justice and the rule of law will be established in the country,” he said.

The minister made the remarks as chief guest at a meeting with lawyers after inaugurating the foundation stone of a modern 10-storey building of the Barisal District Lawyers Association on Sunday.

Referring to political cases filed during the previous 17 years, Asaduzzaman said more than six million BNP leaders and activists had been implicated in cases over their political affiliation.

“Even people who died 20 years ago have been accused in these cases,” he said.

He alleged that the previous government had failed to uphold the rule of law and said political interference had undermined the independence of the judiciary.

Speaking about BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the minister said she had been offered the opportunity to leave the country during the 1/11 political crisis.

“During 1/11, Begum Khaleda Zia was offered to leave the country. She was told that if she left the country, she would be given all kinds of facilities and would not have to do politics. Even her two children were threatened with death. But the uncompromising leader Begum Khaleda Zia did not leave the country,” he said.