Random cases against ex-ministers, MPs undermining achievements of student movement: Sara Hossain

Lawyer and rights activist Barrister Sara Hossain has expressed concerns over the lawsuits filed against ministers and lawmakers following the ouster of the Awami League government and stated that these cases are undermining gains of the student movement. 

Speaking at a citizen dialogue in Dhaka today (24 August), she also warned that these cases are unlikely to withstand legal scrutiny and may not progress beyond the initial stages. 

Civil Reform Group-Bangladesh 2.0 hosted the dialogue titled 'Interception, Right to Privacy, and Freedom of Speech' at the office of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) in Karwan Bazar. 

Sara Hossain, honorary executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), slammed the way of filing the cases. 

"Different sorts of cases have been observed throughout the last two weeks, while some have 30, 40, or 50 people as accused," she added. 

"The people might have genuine anger and frustration, but filing cases this way will not work out eventually. Those will not sustain and may even fail to go beyond the initial stages. Rather, the cases are calling the movement and its outcome into question," she said.  

Questioning the integrity of the policemen, Sara Hossain said, "Did the police file these cases? Did they do it honestly? With a clear understanding? Case statement is not a place to vent one's anger."