The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Adviser for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday underlined the need for creating mass awareness about the existing laws so that they were respectful of the law of the land.

He said nobody would disagree that the establishment of rule of law is much smoother when people's involvement with law of the land is closer.

The Adviser was addressing a press conference to mark the launching of the 38-volume 'Bangladesh Code' at PID auditorium.

The Adviser said the caretaker government is working relentlessly to establish rule of law in the country through good governance and justice.

The people were deprived of justice in the past due to their lack of knowledge about laws, he said hoping that with the publication of the Bangladesh Code people would become more aware about the laws of the land.

He said the Bangladesh Code will help people to be much conscious about their rights protected by the laws and would be able to create opinion on lapses, if any, in the laws.

Asked if the present government will hold trial of war criminals, he advised journalists to put the question to those who avoided the issue when they were in power.

"You have waited for 36 years, why cannot you wait for another two years?" he remarked saying that the government came to power with a big responsibility to hold a free and fair election and it does not expect any quarter to create obstacles.

Asked whether there is any possibility of proclamation of martial law in the country, he replied in the negative saying, "We do not see any prospect of martial law in the country under any situation."

"We the caretaker government do not have any interest to prolong our stay in power and we do not have any intention to indulge in corruption remaining in power," he said.

He said the entire government machinery is working hard to create a congenial atmosphere for holding the elections in a free and fair manner by the end of next year in accordance with its commitment made earlier.

The Adviser told journalists that Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would formally make public the Bangladesh Code at a function today.

About granting bail to accused corrupt business tycoons, the Law Adviser said granting bail is the jurisdiction of the court and the court is taking the decisions.

He mentioned that after formation of the proposed Truth Commission, the corrupt people would not need to go to jail and they would get different type of punishment.

The Adviser observed that everybody has to take into consideration the economy of the country, how to keep the business vibrant in the greater interest of the country.

Asked about reforms in political parties the Adviser said he does not expect much under the prevailing situation.

"I hope the positive impact of the reforms will be clear by January or February," he added.

"Though I am not very optimistic about the changes the political parties are trying to make. But it is true that the Mafia rule is over. Now the honest people should come forward," he said.

Barrister Mainul emphasised the need for bringing about a significant change in the mentality of politicians and said without change of mind and heart of those who would be elected, good governance is a remote prospect.

A total of 956 laws, which were enacted from 1836 to January 2007 and effective in the country at present with necessary amendments, have been included in the Bangladesh Code, 2007, he said.

The 11-volume code, published earlier, which contained the laws enacted from 1836 to 1938 have also been included in the 38-volume Bangladesh Code.

Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Law Kazi Habibul Awal, Principal Information Officer (PIO) Iftekher Hossain and senior officials were present at the press conference.