The Dhaka Times Desk Bangladesh government is looking for every way to ban Jamaat-e-Islami. The government has five options to ban Jamaat. The government plans to ban the Jamaat in either of these ways. Khabar daily our time.
According to sources in the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, what are the ways to ban Jamaat have already been figured out. Out of the five options that have emerged so far, the one that will not cause problems in the future will be followed.
Awaiting the verdict of Golam Azam and Nizami's case
The first option before the government to ban Jamaat is the judgment of the case against Ghulam Azam and Nizami for crimes against humanity. According to sources, the International Criminal Tribunals (Amendment) Act, 2013 has provided for the prosecution of individuals as well as groups and organizations. According to that provision, the judge of the International Criminal Tribunal during the trial of crimes against humanity, the leaders of the organization, especially the head of the party and the organizer, can take action against the party and organization with the judgment of that person. That organization can be banned for this.
In this regard, Law Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed said that now, if the tribunal under the new law, the former Amir of Jamaat, Ghulam Azam, or the current Amir, Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, can be accused of having organized such crimes with Jamaat-e-Islami organization. We will wait till the judgment of the trial of these two, what kind of verdict the court gives. If the judge bans the Jamaat in the judgment of one of these two, we will not have to do anything. After the judgment is passed, if the judgment is appealed against and the same judgment is upheld in the appeal, it will become effective. But it will take some time. But in this way Jamaat will never be able to conduct any of their activities in the future.
When asked to know the progress of the case of crimes against humanity against Golam Azam, Additional Attorney General Advocate MK Rahman said that the case will be scheduled for judgment only after the argument of Golam Azam's case is over. The work on this case is almost at its final stage. Nizami's case is still pending. The progress of the case is not special until it reaches the stage of argument.
Disposal of the writ
As a second option, the government has a writ in the High Court against Jamaat-e-Islami. The writ may be heard immediately. If the court decides to ban Jamaat in the hearing of that writ, it will be the shortest and easiest for the government. In this regard, the Law Minister said that the writ pending in the High Court will be settled when it is heard. And if the settlement is settled, if the court bans them from all activities, then the government will not have to do anything for this. Just execute the judgment. He said that if Jamaat is banned through this, it will be done as soon as possible and without any trouble.
He said, if Jamaat is banned by the court, there will be no problem later. But if the bill is brought to the parliament and banned, it will be possible to amend the bill later and start their work. For this reason, the government is prioritizing the issue of legal process.
Parliament passed a bill to ban Jamaat
A third option is to pass a bill to ban it. A number of government leaders have said that the Jamaat will be banned by introducing a bill in Parliament. Measures will also be taken to prevent Jamaat from doing any kind of political activities in the future. Two leaders of the government party said in an event at Shaheed Minar that the process for raising the bill has already started. In this regard, the law minister said that Jamaat can be banned by bringing a bill in parliament. However, no final decision has been taken in this regard yet. And we have not yet started any process of raising the bill in Parliament. He said, to bring a bill in the parliament to ban them, it will have to be passed by the cabinet again. If the parliament passes a bill and bans it, but later passes the bill by two-thirds of the votes and gives them the opportunity to do political activities again, then there will be no benefit.
Prohibition by Election Commission
Fourth option - The Election Commission can take measures to ban Jamaat as a party and prevent them from participating in any kind of elections. No political party can participate in any election keeping any provision in conflict with the constitution. The Election Commission has already issued several notices to the Jamaat, referring to all the conflicting issues that exist in their constitution with the constitution. The Jamaat subsequently amended its constitution. Election Commission is still not satisfied even after correcting them.
The Law Minister said that no matter how many times Jamaat-e-Islami amends its constitution, it will not be of any use until the Election Commission is satisfied with the amendment of its constitution. They can take action against the Jamaat considering the conflict with the constitution. may cancel their registration. If this is done, they will not be able to participate in the elections. As such, the Election Commission can take measures. He said, it is best if Jamaat is banned through disposal of writs or prosecution of crimes against humanity. Because the judgment of the Supreme Court will be the biggest.
Taking measures in the Anti-Terrorism Act
The government has option number five - the government can ban Jamaat through the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009. The government can take action against Jamaat because of the activities they are doing and assisting in various terrorist activities including flag burning, attack on Shaheed Minar, attack on police force. Especially the activities that have been organized across the country with their help on Friday, February 22. According to the Anti-Terrorism Act, organizations that commit terrorist acts cannot conduct political activities. Apart from that, there is an opportunity to take action against them on charges of providing financial support to their organizational camps for carrying out various terrorist activities and providing support to other groups engaged in such activities. The government can do that if it wants.
In this regard, the law minister said, this law is also being considered. This is also an option being considered. Then the final decision will be taken.
Will the Jamaat-e-Islami be banned only, or is the government planning to ban any other Islamic political parties as well. In this regard, the Law Minister said, the Election Commission will look into it. They will see which party will participate in the election. Action will be taken subject to participating in the election. Activities and parties in conflict with the constitution will not be able to participate in the elections. However, recently, when asked about the banning of Jamaat, a member of parliament from the ruling party said in parliament, 'We will only ban Jamaat-e-Islami, not religion-based politics.'
Some people think that if the government bans Jamaat, this organization may go underground and get involved in militant activities after the ban. This may worsen the situation of the country. When asked what kind of apprehension the government has in this regard, the law minister said, only those who say it can say it. However, what kind of activities can be done if they are banned is now being considered - the issue of banning Jamaat. What will happen next, what they will do - I cannot say now. If they go underground and commit terrorist activities, the administration will take action in that way.
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