ACHR condemns murder charges against Hasina

New Delhi, Apr 13: Asian Centre for Human Rights has condemned filing of murder charges against leader of Awami League Sheikh Hasina by the Bangladesh authorities for alleged attacks on the Islamic fundamentalists in Dhaka in October 2006.

''This is nothing but an afterthought of the military backed interim government to ensure that Ms Sheikh Hasina, who is on a private tour in the United States, does not return to the country,'' ACHR Director Suhas Chakma said in a statement here today.

On April 9, a criminal complaint was filed against Ms Hasina by Tajul Islam Farook, Chairman of Westmont Power Company, for allegedly extorting three crore Taka during her premiership.

Despite filing of the criminal complaint, Ms Hasina had decided to return.

The charges of murder against Ms Hasina fell under serious offences and despite the amendments of the Emergency Powers Rules of 2007 on April 8, she could not seek bail until the conclusion of the hearing.

The amendments of the Emergency Powers Rules fell short of international human rights standards and violate cardinal principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the statement said.

The silence of international community against systematic abrogation of the rule of law and due process of law by the military backed caretaker government had encouraged the authorities to take such draconian measures to silence any form of political opposition, it added.

UNI