The BNP fears rendering justice will be difficult for the judges now that the 16th Amendment has been passed by Parliament to restore its power to sack them.
Taking part in a discussion at the National Press Club on Friday, BNP standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah said, “Bestowing the power to impeach the judges on an un-mandated parliament will create a mental pressure on the judges, which will prevent them from delivering justice.”
The 16th Amendment was passed on Wednesday restoring Parliament’s power to investigate and sack judges for any incapability and misconduct.
From the outset, some political parties, including the BNP, and a section of lawyers were opposing the government’s move.
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“The government is controlling the judges of the lower courts. They are not free from political influence,” Miah alleged.
“We believe now that Parliament has passed the 16th Amendment, it will be difficult for the Supreme Court judges to deliver justice.
“Not only this, there is also serious doubt about whether the judges can now give impartial verdicts in the cases against the government.”
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the BNP leader said, “She had been claiming that in all the developed democratic nations the power to impeach judges rests on Parliament.
“But I would like to ask her whether those countries deny their citizens basic rights, freedom of speech and rights to express their political views.”
The BNP chairperson’s Advisor Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Information and Research Affairs Secretary Habibur Rahman Habib, Maulana Soheb Ahmed and Barrister Rumen Farhana also took part, among others, in the discussion.
Taking part in another discussion at the Press Club, BNP chairperson’s Advisor and President of the Supreme Court’s Bar Association Khandaker Mahbub Hossain too denounced the amendment.
“Following this amendment, the judges will not be able to go against political decisions. We believe that through this the government is pushing the country towards a one-party BAKSAL rule,” he said.
Source: Bd news24
