PM hails justice department for protecting people’s democratic rights

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her gratitude to the justice department for its verdict that declared the governments, occupying the state power by violating the country's constitution, as illegal.

"I personally believe that the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh have been secured with the verdict," she said on Thursday, while inaugurating the newly-constructed 12-storey modern building named Bijoy Ekattor of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.

The inaugural ceremony was held on the Supreme Court premises and the prime minister joined it virtually from her official residence Gonobhaban.

Sheikh Hasina said the military dictators, who came to the state power again and again after '75 in Bangladesh, illegally seized the power.

The court repealed the indemnity ordinance and liberated the country from the culture of impunity, she said further.

"Those of us who lost our loved ones on August 15, we had no right to seek justice. I came back to Bangladesh and tried to file a case. But I was not allowed to do so, because indemnity had been given. I was able to change the culture of impunity introduced in this country when I was elected by the people and formed the government," she elaborated.

Highlighting various steps taken by the government to establish good governance, the prime minister said, "We are working to make sure that all, including tortured women, children, and acid victims, get justice."

Law Minister Anisul Huq presided over the ceremony.

Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and Attorney General Abu Mohammad Amin Uddin also spoke at the programme.