Law Minister admits to filing of false cases

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said everyone, except members of banned organisations, has the right to hold meetings and criticise the government, while the state has a responsibility to ensure an environment where people can speak without fear.

“We want to move forward, not go back. We want to come out of the culture of disappearances. We do not deny that we have some weaknesses. But we have to move forward considering the reality,” he said.

The minister made the remarks at a seminar titled ‘Post-Election Bangladesh’ at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Monday.

Asaduzzaman said the BNP government was committed to pursuing the reform agenda outlined in the July Charter.

“BNP wants to move forward on the path of the July Charter. Trust us, we want to move towards that goal,” he said.

He stressed that criticism and political pressure were necessary in a democratic system, but maintained that such pressure should be exercised within lawful bounds.

The Law Minister acknowledged that the government’s reform process might be slow but insisted that institutional change was underway.

“We are trying to turn around. The pace may be slow, but the process of change is underway,” he said, adding that the government remained open to corrective measures where it failed.

On enforced disappearances, Asaduzzaman said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy.

“One disappearance incident has occurred in the last six months. Investigations are underway into three more incidents. The government is pursuing a ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding disappearances,” he said.

He also acknowledged concerns over false cases, saying, “It cannot be said that false cases are not being made. However, the government is vigilant in this regard.”

On political culture, the minister said meaningful change could not be achieved overnight.

Regarding the National Human Rights Commission and the proposed Human Rights and Prevention of Disappearances Act, Asaduzzaman said the government was reviewing the existing framework before placing necessary amendments before Parliament.

“The way the National Human Rights Commission was created, it could have become a Frankenstein-like institution. We will return to Parliament after scrutinising everything, but we have been presented negatively,” he said.

He maintained that the commission’s investigative powers would be retained and that the government was seeking to institutionalise a culture of accountability.

“Law is not a holy book; law is changeable,” the minister remarked.

On constitutional reform, Asaduzzaman said necessary amendments would have to be considered as long as the 1972 Constitution remained in force.

“The July Charter also says that the Constitution must be amended. If a reasonable proposal comes to amend the Constitution, efforts will be made to include it,” he said.

He added that the government was yet to receive the proposals and names of the relevant committees for consideration.