SC Bar Association demands withdrawal of open letter by world leaders for Dr Yunus

The Supreme Court Bar Association on Friday demanded the open letter sent by Nobel laureates and others across the world to stop the ongoing trial proceedings against Dr Muhammad Yunus to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina be withdrawn.

They made the demand on Friday in a statement signed by the association’s President and General Secretary Md. Momtazuddin Fakir and Md. Abdun Nur Dulal .

Addressing the move by the world leaders as violation of the international law, it said such an open letter is undue interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and undue interference upon independent and impartial judiciary and detrimental to the just and lawful right of the poor labourers.

The statement said in the letter the world leaders requested the Bangladeshi premier to stay the ongoing legal process in the Labour Court filed against Dr Yunus.

“The contents of the letter are based upon incorrect information. They would not write such a letter if they could know the truth. This letter is an undue interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and is interference in the independent judicial administration,” it reads.

Moreover, it is a mischievous stand against the legal and legitimate right and interest of the poor labourers. It is unexpected and unwarranted of the world leaders, according to the statement.

Terming the ongoing judicial process against Dr Yunus for hampering interest of the labourers and tax evasion as demand of law and natural justice, the bar association thinks the judicial processes are going for due cause and absolutely in accordance with law and on strict compliance of legal formalities.

If Dr Yunus aggrieved at any stage of legal process, he has proper remedy and redress in the law itself. The government filed no cases against him on labour issues; rather the cases were filed by the oppressed labourers for materializing their legal lawful and genuine claim and right.

The judiciary of Bangladesh is absolutely independent and impartial. The judges have been discharging their duties independently, impartially and within the domain of law.

Besides, the executives have no scope and authority for interfering with the functions of the judiciary.

As per the constitution, nobody is above law and it is inalienable right of every citizen to get protection of law and get shelter of law, the statement said.

On September 9, 2021, Labour Inspector (general) SM Arifuzzaman of the Inspection for Factories and Establishments Department filed a labour law violation case against four people, including Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, with the Third Labour Court of Dhaka.

On June 6 this year, the court indicted the defendants, including Muhammad Yunus, in the case. The trial in the case began on August 22.