Partisan politics blamed for weak judicial system

FE Team | Published: October 18, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The independent and just judicial process of the country has become weak due to influence of partisan politics.
Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein said this while addressing the Additional District and Sessions Judges at Judicial Administration Training Institute in the city Wednesday, reports UNB.
The adviser said the system of check and balance failed to work and the government became arbitrary and corrupt in the past in every sphere of life.
"Corruption and abuse of power prevailed over the rule of law. The corrupt ones in public life plundered public wealth and enjoyed immunity against the law," he told the special orientation course for the judges.
The course was organised to facilitate the implementation of the judicial magistracy from November 1 dubbed as "commencement day of the separation of the judiciary from the executive."
Recounting the pre-state of emergency scenario, the adviser said the whole democratic process fell apart requiring the army backing to save the nation from the danger of an imminent civil war.
He said present caretaker government has faith in democracy and the rule of law by extending cooperation all the way for completion of the process of separating the judiciary from the influence of partisan politics and executive interference.
"This caretaker government takes great satisfaction and pride for its success in finally achieving the important milestone by way of fulfilling the constitutional obligation to keep the judiciary its dignity of being independent of the control of the executive," the adviser said.
Mainul said, "By recognising the importance of judiciary's independence, we are upholding the importance of human rights for a civilised existence in a free country."
Reminding role of the judges, he said now it is for the judges to make the judiciary strong and just to earn people's full confidence.
"It is only through personal integrity you can ensure people's confidence in the judiciary," Mainul said, adding, "as judges you have also taken upon yourself the onerous task of sharing the present responsibilities of steering the country towards the goal of restoring democracy."
He said, "Together we must be successful in restoring democracy without which the judiciary shall not remain independent. The judiciary was not allowed independence because democracy was not allowed to succeed."
The adviser said the change that has taken place has given the people "a God-sent opportunity to rethink and re-dedicate ourselves to serve the higher goals of a free nation honestly."
"Independence of the judiciary must also mean cleansing of the judiciary. A morally weak judiciary cannot be judicially strong," he told the judges.