Call for repeal of indemnity ordn

Speakers at an opinion-sharing meeting in the city yesterday demanded repeal of recently promulgated indemnity ordinance.

They also demanded punishment of culprits including the army personnel for violation of human rights.

They said all the persons responsible for the deaths during the joint forces drive should be punished under existing laws and through impartial investigation. Compensation for affected people was also demanded at the meeting.

The speakers at the meeting demanded unconditional release of the arrested intellectuals and politicians.

They said countrymen are yet to know under which law army personnel were deployed to curb criminal activities.

They also said, while the indemnity ordinance deprive people to obtain legal aid regarding this human right violation, criminals may get so by the constitution.

Ain-o-Salish Kendro (ASK) organised the meeting at Liberation war Museum in the city to discuss the recently promulgated indemnity ordinance and other activities prevailing in the country.

Demanding the repeal of Special Powers Act-1974, speakers at the programme said none could be arrested under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) without specific charges.

Separation of judiciary from executives is a necessity for an independent judicial system, the meeting said.

All the important decisions must be taken in the parliament after discussion, speakers said.

They said the government must protect 'freedom of expression' constitutional right of people. At the same time government should respect opposition voices.

They demanded the ruling party to form an independent human right commission, anti corruption commission and ombudsman as per election pledge. They also demanded reformation of police department.

Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, Khan Sarwar Morshed, Barrister Amirul Islam, Rehman Sobhan, Hamida Hossain, Ayesha Khanom, Pankoj Bhattacharya, Mafidul Haq, Sultana Kamal, Zerina Rahman Khan, Fazlul Haq, Sara Hossain, Pricila Raj and Qurratul Ain Tahmina addressed also addressed the meeting.