Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman yesterday said no democratic government can condone extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances.
“The current government, elected by the people, does not support any resort to unlawful means. In a democratic state, punishment and legal action must be carried out strictly through judicial procedures, not through extrajudicial killings,” he said.
He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at the weekly press briefing held at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at Bangladesh Secretariat here.
Principal Information Officer (PIO) Syed Abdal Ahmed and Joint Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Ministry Dr. Md. Alam Mostafa were also present.
Dr. Zahed said if a government kills people outside the judicial process, the state ceases to be a state and turns into a gangster, adding that those involved in such practices in the past had reduced the state to a criminal enterprise.
He said the current government had no intention of clinging to power through elections held under the cover of darkness and would not engage in any activity that could undermine the country’s image.
Addressing public servants, Dr Zahed emphasised that they were under no obligation to execute an unlawful order, even if it had been issued in writing.
Responding to a question about recent remarks by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the adviser said the police chief had issued a clarification through Police Headquarters to dispel any misunderstanding.
The government’s next course of action on the matter would be considered personally by the Prime Minister after returning from a foreign visit, he added.
Referring to several recent incidents, Dr Zahed said individuals who had attempted to take the law into their own hands or incite others had been arrested.
He stressed that the government was consistently conveying a clear message: no one is above the law.
Responding to a question about Sheikh Hasina’s rule and her recent remarks, Dr Zahed said it was not appropriate to describe someone as a “former prime minister” if they had remained in power by force without a public mandate.
He said Sheikh Hasina would have to face justice in accordance with the law if she returned to the country.
“The government would ensure justice while fully adhering to due legal process,” he added.
On the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, the adviser said the BNP government had its own policy positions and plans concerning the media, including media ownership structures and the regulatory framework.
“These policies would be formulated through consultations with relevant stakeholders, he said.
The adviser also underscored the need to make the Information Commission more active and effective, noting that citizens had the right to obtain information from government offices.
He said efforts were underway to make the reconstituted Information Commission more dynamic and responsive to ensure greater transparency in public administration.
The new commission, he added, would play an effective role in upholding citizens’ right to information.
About constitutional reform and the work of the Consensus Commission, Dr Zahed said discussions on various amendments were continuing beyond the commission’s initial deliberations.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening democratic practices and establishing good governance.
