The New Nation - Internet Edition

The process of facilitating improved medical treatment for Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina abroad has been completed in an exceptional haste although the government has been found attending to many urgent matters. Though delays are accepted on many matters, they are unacceptable in respect of medical treatment. The speed and the sympathetic attitude shown by the government on a humanitarian question has earned it praise and at the same time given rise to questions.

It has also been observed that no compromise was made about the corruption cases pending against Sheikh Hasina while reaching understanding with the Awami League Chief. She has been sent abroad after she agreed to the condition that the legal process in the court would continue in her absence.

Question has been raised about overenthusiasm of some advisers. Non-governmental oganisation 'Adhikar' has said in a report that the process through which Sheikh Hasina was set free created a lot of impressions in the public mind. Such kinds of impressions can have harmful impacts on the political arena and this in turn may raise questions in the minds of the people about the independent role of the judiciary at the hour of crisis.

Gano Forum president Dr. Kamal Hossain has urged the government to remain determined to hold trial of politicians arrested on charges of corruption, and said that the government should be responsible also to ensure that those who left the political arena after resorting to corruption cannot stage a comeback. He complained that some intruders within the government were helping the corrupt elements.

The nation want the trial of corruption cases to be completed under a uniform process for all. The government should remember that the 11th of January has a special significance and pledge to the nation. The revolutionary change of 1/11 was not for holding old-fashioned elections, or to have special alliance with any particular party. It should be understood by all that the change is the fruit of a strong role played by the armed forces. It has been possible for the caretaker government to continue the constitutional process because of their help and cooperation. The role of the advisers should be to make the change of 11th January meaningful.

The creation of an atmosphere to form an honest government through an honest election should be the objective of dialogue with the political parties. No effort to compromise with corruption can have support of the nation. It's known to all that unbridled corruption led to the creation of dangerous political and economic crises in the country. Some advisers look anxious to see success of the dialogue at any cost. There could be no easy path other than this to undo the nation's expectation of having an honest but democratic government in fulfilling the goal of the change of 11th January. Suspicions naturally arise as to whether the advisers involved have understood the true significance of the radical change to be accomplished.

The meeting of four advisers at the residence of Sheikh Hasina after her release on parole for eight weeks, at one stage the Chief Adviser's telephonic talks with her, and subsequently, the presence of Bangladesh envoys in UK and the US at airports to receive her, gave rise to speculation about the government's intentions and respect for the judicial process. The government has to exercise more restraint in dealing with people having cases pending against them in courts.

The corruption cases should be completed through independent processes of Anti-Corruption Commission and the judiciary without any interference. The most important thing in this regard is that the people had welcomed the 1/11 changes to insure that political consideration will not influence the trial of corruption case.

The present caretaker government's most significant achievement is to show that nobody is above the law. The demand for reconsideration of bail for the accused in corruption cases whose trial is getting delayed unnecessarily deserves support. Such a situation only reflects the weakness of corruption cases. Strong roles of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the judiciary thus deserve special emphasis with a view to ensuring even handed justice.