The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday claimed, labelling anybody war criminal or anti-liberation force as 'unconstitutional'.

They also said the demand for banning religious-based political parties as 'illegal' as per the Constitution of the country.

They were speaking at a roundtable on ' Human Rights and Justice' organised by Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) at National Press Club.

Presided over by former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdour Rouf, former secretary Shah Abdul Hannan, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant General Secretary Barrister Abdur Razzak, Dhaka University Prof Dr Mahbub Ullah, Prof Dr UK Rowjatur Romman, Prof Mojahedul Islam, Islamic University Prof Dr ABM Mahbubul Islam Eng Fazla Ali, among others, took part at the discussion.

Terming the Code of Criminal Procedure(CRPC) and Penal Code 'a colonial law' , Abdur Rouf emphasised on the need for changing the British law considering present day's needs. Shah Abdul Hannan, former Islamic Bank Chairman said killing by crossfire and detaining without trial , torturing in police custody are not only violation of human rights but also anti-Islamic acts.

Barrister Abdur Razzak alleged that in the last ten years, some quarters attempted to control the High Court through the back door.

He said the judiciary must be independent for the greater interest of all including those who are on the driving seats of the government.

Dr ABM Mahbubul Islam of Islamic University protested the demands of banning religion -based parties.

Calling someone war criminal or anti-liberation force is unconstitutional and illegal, he claimed.

Abdus Shahid Nasim, Executive Director, CPS moderated the roundtable.