Rights body condemns mob attack, vandalism of courtroom, judge’s chamber in Bangladesh

Paris, Aug 11 (IANS) Amid rising incidents of mob violence across Bangladesh, a leading international human rights organisation strongly condemned a mob attack and vandalism of the courtroom and a judge’s private chamber at District and Sessions Judge Court in Chapainawabganj, allegedly by workers of the current ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The vandalism reportedly occurred on Sunday at the chambers of the District and Sessions Judge’s Court and the Joint District Judge Md Uzzal Mahmud.

Citing court sources, Bangladeshi media outlet Views Bangladesh reported that BNP workers became agitated after Judge Uzzal Mahmud granted bail to four accused in a case but deferred a decision on another accused, Tufan Ali.

Ali, a leader of the BNP’s youth wing Jubo Dal, was arrested on the night of August 8 in connection with a case involving a cocktail explosion at the wall of the district election office ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. Several BNP workers claimed the judge had repeatedly deferred a decision on Ali’s bail application and had made critical remarks about the government regarding the handling of the current electricity situation in the country.

Expressing grave concern over the incident, Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) said that exerting collective pressure, engaging in intimidation, or committing acts of vandalism on court premises over dissatisfaction with a judge’s remarks or judicial proceedings constitutes a “direct attack on judicial independence, the rule of law, and the constitutional framework of a democratic state.”

Condemning the incident, JMBF Founder President and human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam said, “Courts are not the offices of any political party, and judges are not accountable to any political group. If anyone is aggrieved by a judge’s remarks or decision, the law provides appropriate avenues for seeking redress. Forming a mob in front of a court, surrounding a judge’s chamber, or attempting to exert pressure through vandalism constitutes a grave attack on the independence of the judiciary.”

He further alleged that since the ouster of the Awami League government, the practice of exerting pressure on the judiciary through mob violence, which began during the former Muhammad Yunus- led interim government, has continued under the current BNP government.

“If mob gatherings and vandalism at courts are allowed to go unpunished because of political affiliation today, judges may be afraid to make independent decisions tomorrow. Ultimately, ordinary people seeking justice will pay the price. Regardless of political affiliation, every individual involved in this incident must be identified through an impartial investigation and brought to justice,” Shahanur added.

The JMBF called on all political parties, civil society organisations, lawyers’ associations, and state institutions across Bangladesh to take a clear and united stand to protect the dignity of the courts, the independence of judges, and the rule of law in the country.

–IANS

scor/rs