The Bangladesh University Council has commented that the letter written by 160 prominent figures from around the world, including more than 100 Nobel laureates, to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demanding a stay on the ongoing trial against Dr. Yunus is illegal and unreasonable.
Stating that such a statement is a threat to an independent sovereign state, the vice-chancellors of the university council said that the matter is an unconstitutional interference in the independent judicial system and the judiciary.
These words were said in a press release sent to the media on Thursday, signed by Professor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, President of Bangladesh University Council and Vice-Chancellor of Gazipur University of Engineering and Technology.
It said that a recent statement or letter from 160 prominent people from around the world calling for the suspension of the ongoing case against Dr. Muhammad Yunus has come to the attention of the University Council. In this regard, the University Council is of the opinion that the judiciary of Bangladesh is completely independent and everything is conducted in accordance with the law. The independent judiciary takes decisions based on evidence and there is no scope for anyone to interfere in this matter.
'According to Article 22 of the Bangladesh Constitution, the judiciary is completely separate and independent from the executive branch. That is, the judiciary will work independently, the executive branch will not be able to interfere in it.'
"Just as the Constitution of Bangladesh provides for the right of all citizens to seek refuge in the law, the application of the law applies equally to all citizens," the statement said.
The rule of law exists in the country and no one is above the law, the statement further said, "We (Vice Chancellors of Bangladesh University Council) strongly express that giving statements or letters about pending cases without knowing the laws and judiciary of Bangladesh, without proper review, is an unconstitutional interference in the independent judicial system and judiciary of independent Bangladesh, which was achieved through the blood of 3 million martyrs and a long nine-month bloody liberation war, which is a threat to the independent sovereign state. This is not desirable in any way."
The University Council believes that the prominent individuals who issued the statement or letter will respect Bangladesh's independent judiciary, withdraw their misleading and ignorant opinions, and uphold the dignity of an independent and democratic country like Bangladesh.
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