AL men should question Hasina for abandoning them: Asif Nazrul

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today said the leaders and activists of Awami League (AL) should question Sheikh Hasina - why she abandoned them and fled the country.

"She abandoned the leaders and activists of her party and fled the country. She sent her relatives abroad three days before fleeing the country herself. The leaders and activists of her party should question her, why she abandoned them and fled the country," he said while talking to newsmen at a briefing on the first 100 days of the present interim government, at the ministry at the Secretariat.

Referring to the ongoing demonstration of the students of Government Titumir College, the law adviser said public sufferings are being created through irrational movements, adding, "The government is monitoring these. If they (protesters) become strict, the government too will become stricter, but the present government does not want to carry out oppression like the Awami League."

Replying a question on the possible time of the next general election, the law adviser said it will be held as soon as possible after some much-needed reforms.

"I want to tell you something. We would hold election as soon as possible after doing some most essential reforms. We just don't want one thing; we don't want bogus election like before, we don't want anyone to take part in any bogus election. Apart from this, we don't have any other interest," he said.

The law adviser further said most of his colleagues in the interim government want to go back to their old professions as soon as possible.

Dr Asif Nazrul said almost all criminal cases filed by the previous government to quell the mass uprising have been withdrawn.

He said there may be some mistakes but there is no lack of effort. Necessary assistance has been provided to form the Constitution Reform Commission, Election Reform Commission and Judicial Reform Commission and all kinds of secretarial support is being provided to these reform commissions.

"The Judiciary Reform Commission has been formed with the aim of establishing an independent, impartial and effective judiciary. The commission called on me on November 12. I hope that the commission will soon prepare a comprehensive reform proposal for the judiciary," he added.

Dr Asif Nazrul further said the Law Ministry has provided necessary support for the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The Law and Justice Department has provided necessary support for the formation of an inquiry commission to find the persons who went missing during the previous Awami League government and to formulate recommendations for taking legal action against those involved in the enforced disappearances. The Law Ministry is also providing secretarial support to the commission, he said.