Paris-based Justice Makers Bangladesh (JMBAF) has slammed a provocative police order in Bangladesh that mandates the re-arrest of Awami League leaders fresh out on bail. The February 24 directive from Rajshahi Range DIG Mohammad Shahjahan directs officers to slap new charges and detain these politicians, effectively nullifying court decisions.
This ‘special directive’ has ignited fears of systemic judicial sabotage. JMBAF argues it represents a direct assault on constitutional rights to liberty, due process, and access to justice, principles baked into Bangladesh’s foundational charter.
In their critique, the group emphasized: ‘Post-bail arrests via fabricated cases mock the independence of the judiciary and shatter the balance of power. It’s a perilous slide from democratic norms to administrative tyranny.’
Shahnoor Islam, JMBAF’s founder, connected the dots to broader governance issues under the BNP alliance’s new leadership. ‘Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration is mirroring past interim governments by systematically dismantling legal safeguards for political gain,’ he charged.
Islam described the tactic as deliberate: bypassing bail through re-arrests isn’t mere oversight but a blueprint for retribution. He urged swift reversal, insisting that only ironclad protection for court orders can salvage the rule of law.
The human rights advocates are pushing for more: scrap the order, ban identity-based detentions, establish an impartial investigation body, and invite international oversight. These steps, they say, are vital to prevent Bangladesh’s legal framework from crumbling under political pressure.
With elections still echoing and coalitions forming, this controversy highlights the razor-thin line between justice and vengeance. Observers warn that without intervention, public trust in institutions could evaporate, fueling instability in a nation long plagued by partisan strife.