Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings had been “almost nil” during the government’s first six months in office.
“We are proud to announce that in our first six months, we have shown our zero tolerance for enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing. It is almost nil,” he said.
The minister also said there had been no complaints that police had filed false cases against political opponents during the period.
He made the remarks while addressing an event marking US Constitution Day and the 250th anniversary of American democracy at Dhaka University’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.
The event was jointly organised by the DU Faculty of Law and the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Claims of change in law and order
Asaduzzaman compared the current situation with what he described as abuses during the previous “fascist” regime.
He alleged that more than 4,500 BNP leaders and activists were victims of extrajudicial killings, around 700 people were forcibly disappeared and around 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced false cases as part of political persecution.
He claimed that most of those cases were filed by law enforcement agencies themselves.
Tribute to constitutional principles
Speaking about the similarities between the constitutions of Bangladesh and the United States, the minister expressed appreciation for what he described as the founding principles of the US Constitution.
“I especially pay my tribute to the people of the USA for showing us the path to having one of the finest constitutions in the world by the people of Bangladesh in 1972,” he said.
Referring to the opening words of both constitutions, he said the US Constitution adopted in September 1787 began with “We, the people of America”, while Bangladesh’s Constitution in 1972 began with “We, the people of Bangladesh”.
“Here is the similarity,” he added.
The minister said both constitutions were based on democratic values and fundamental principles.
“The US Constitution was adopted, ratified, accepted and enforced by the American people, keeping in mind that democracy and freedom are the basic pillars. Our Constitution is also based on some basic pillars and basic structures which are borrowed from the American Constitution,” he said.
He said Bangladesh was going through a period when the Constitution remained a key pillar for guiding the country.
US envoy highlights constitutional resilience
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen said constant debate, the search for consensus, separation of powers, judicial independence and the ability to amend the Constitution had helped make the American Constitution resilient.
He said these principles had allowed the Constitution to inspire democracies around the world for more than 200 years.
The Constitution Day programme included a public ceremony, a panel discussion, an essay competition, a quiz contest and an exhibition from the American Founders Museum.
The event was attended by DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Dean of the Faculty of Law Professor Muhammad Ekramul Haque, constitutional experts, academics and students.
