Law minister vows to ensure trial of all crimes

KHULNA, Sept 14: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Monday said the government is committed to ensuring justice for all crimes, including crimes against humanity, and warned that no one involved in political criminal activities would be spared, even if they belong to his own party.

“We are committed to ensuring trial of all crimes. All crimes against humanity will certainly be brought to justice,” he said while addressing a view-exchange meeting organised by the Khulna district administration here in the afternoon.

The minister said human rights violations had taken place during the past 17 years, alleging that nearly 700 of their associates had been made victims of enforced disappearance in the name of “crossfire” and that false cases had been filed against around 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists for their political affiliation.

“Over the past 17 years, Sheikh Hasina did not do it alone; her associates were involved too. We are committed to ensuring justice for all crimes,” he said.

On political criminalisation, Asaduzzaman said, “If anyone from our party is involved in such activities, they will not be spared.”

He said law enforcement agencies had been given strict instructions to take action against terrorists and criminals.

“There is no need for crossfire to curb terrorism. Existing laws are sufficient to deal with criminals,” the minister said.

He stressed that the government was committed to ensuring justice for murder and crimes against humanity, regardless of the identity or political affiliation of the accused.

Presided over by Khulna Deputy Commissioner Hoore Jannat, the meeting was attended, among others, by Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul, MPs Azizul Bari Helal and Amir Ejaz Khan, KDA Chairman SM Shafiqul Alam Mona, KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, Khulna District Council Administrator Monirul Hasan Bappy and Khulna WASA Chairman Moniruzzaman Moni.

The deputy inspector general of police (DIG, Khulna Range), KMP commissioner, and superintendent of police, senior government officials, political leaders and journalists also attended the meeting.

The minister said ensuring public safety and maintaining overall law and order in the district were among the government’s top priorities.

He called for adopting a zero-tolerance policy against lawlessness and urged the administration to ensure that people seeking justice received speedy services without harassment.

Local elected representatives and administrative officials briefed the minister on various development activities, expansion of civic services and the prevailing law-and-order situation in Khulna.

Earlier in the morning, the minister held a meeting with judicial officials of Khulna district at the conference room of the District Judge Court.

He urged judges to expedite disposal of cases to reduce the backlog of cases in the courts.

District and Sessions Judge Chan Mohammad Abdul Alim Al Razi and other judges attended the meeting.