RAB played laudable role to curb drug-terrorism and militancy: Information Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said those who are conspiring against Bangladesh from home and abroad are talking a lot about the role of RAB.

However, this RAB has played a praiseworthy role to curb drug-terrorism and militancy in Bangladesh, he said.
“That is why we have been able to tackle drug-terrorism and militancy in Bangladesh more effectively than many developed countries,” he said.

Dr Hasan said that those who are talking about the role of RAB today, they really want a sanctuary of terrorism and militancy and drugs to spread more. Otherwise, they cannot speak against them in this way, he said.

The information minister made the remarks as chief guest while addressing a reception and training workshop for new lawyers at Chattogram District Bar Association (CDBA) auditorium this noon.

CDBA President Mohammad Enamul Haque presided over the function while Bangladesh Bar Council ad-hoc committee member Advocate Mujibul Haque addressed the function as special guest.

CDBA secretary AHM Ziauddin delivered the welcome speech.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that if any member of RAB made a mistake, they are facing trial and will face trial.

“Anyone who makes a mistake, then the incident is under investigation. Many western countries, including the United States, have continued to provide technical assistance to RAB,” he said.

Saying that Begum Khaleda Zia established RAB unit in 2004, Dr Hasan said that when they had given assistance to RAB, the elite force have been working since then, the issues have not come up. Why is it coming suddenly now, but there must be something behind it, he said.

“When a country moves forward, the various international powers want to pull-down that country. They then bring various issues including human rights. But there are no human rights violation incidents in their country. Thousands of people go missing and many shot dead by security forces every year in the United States. Human rights organizations never make statements about them,” he said.

The Minister said an UN independent human rights expert called upon the United States to close the Guantanamo Bay prison a few days ago, where human rights abuses are taking place.
“No human rights organization has made such a statement in this regard,” he added.

Dr Hasan, also Joint Secretary of AL, said that the rule of law has been violated in the country during the regime of military ruler Ziaur Rahman and Ershad.

“Ziaur Rahman’s party speaks of law, justice and democracy today. In the military rule that was imposed in Bangladesh under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman and Ershad, the kangaroo court that was established at that time did not care about any law,” he added.

He said judgments were delivered at the will and by order of military ruler. Everything from executions to death sentences was carried out by their will, he said.

Dr Hasan said the government of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly to establish justice and rule of law in the country, to establish a society based on justice and to establish a multi-dimensional democratic society based on justice and knowledge.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said Kangaroo Court was established after repeated military rule in Bangladesh.

“Where people were tried and hanged through summary trials. Many army officers and soldiers were hanged during the regime of Ziaur Rahman. An army member in prison, when he was suddenly being unlocked and taken away before dawn, then he asked, ‘Where are you taking me?’ In reply they told him he would be hanged.  The army officers then said, I have not had any trial, the reply was that the trial has been done! Many such people have been hanged in such way,” he added.

Congratulating the new lawyers, the Information Minister said that the law profession is not very smooth at the beginning.

Dr. Hasan said the role of lawyers is very important in establishing the rule of law and justice in the country.

“I think the role of lawyers in establishing justice through legal aid to the people depends a lot on the role of lawyers in establishing justice in the society. That is why it is very important to be honest in law profession,” he added.