Speaking at a webinar about extrajudicial killing, former shipping minister and lawmaker Shajahan Khan yesterday said extrajudicial killing is an important tool used by law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and stability in society, and deter criminals.
Mentioning that such killings are not acceptable, Shajahan, also a presidium member of ruling Awami League, nevertheless asked participants of the event to understand the context of extra-judicial killings.
"When a hijacker kills our sister and mother, do we really get to try them? Do they get capital punishment or life-term for their crime? [No,] they manage to get released in the absence of witnesses and evidence," he said.
Blaming the judicial system for its failure to ensure justice, Shajahan said there are instances when even people celebrated these unlawful killings of notorious criminals. The webinar, titled "Extrajudicial Killings: Dysfunctional Democracy and Questionable Rule of Law", was organised by Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).
Denying the allegation that extrajudicial killings are not investigated and perpetrators are not brought to justice, he claimed that justice is meted out when cases are filed against such incidents.
He also defended the rewarding of police officers and members of law enforcement who have allegations of extrajudicial killings against them.
Meanwhile, speakers at the event demanded an end to extrajudicial killing. They said the unlawful killing has increased due to the prevailing culture of impunity in the country.
According to CGS, a total of 677 people were subjected to extra-judicial killing between January 2019 and December 2021. In the last one decade, such incidents have increased.
Nur Khan, secretary general of Ain o Salish Kendra, said, "If the security forces continue to act as judge, jury, and executioner, we won't require the parliament and legal system." Peace and security in society are essential for development, but bloodshed in the name of development is unacceptable, he added.
CGS Chairperson Dr Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury said security forces have killed many criminals without trial during Operation Clean Heart in 2003.
"The people who committed these murders were officially pardoned and given indemnity. Even after a change in government, this indemnity was kept intact," he said.
Dr Reza Kibria, general secretary of Gono Forum, said the recent foreign sanctions have been somewhat successful in curbing extrajudicial killings, as instances have gone down since then.
"But it is only a pause, not an end," he said, adding that rewarding killers makes the government culpable as well.
Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, chairperson of Jatiya Nirbachan Parjabekkhan Parishad, said there must be a strong and unified commitment nationwide to stop extrajudicial killings and protect the rights of people.
CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman moderated the webinar.
News Courtesy:
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/theyre-weeds-the-land-2968316
