Intellectual corruption has damaged Bangladesh's judiciary more than financial corruption, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a judicial integrity workshop on Sunday, November 8.
“Financial corruption has not harmed the judiciary as much as intellectual corruption has,” the law minister said. In this context, he described the 13th Amendment as a product of intellectual corruption.
Commenting on judges' integrity, Asaduzzaman said, “Calling a judge an honest judge is an exaggeration. Upholding honesty is part of a judge's job.”
He also said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards judges against whom specific allegations had been made. Reaffirming the government's commitment to judicial independence, he said it would also work to establish a separate secretariat for the judiciary.
Reflecting on the judiciary's role in the past, the law minister said it had failed to stand beside Salahuddin Ahmed when he was forcibly disappeared.
Asaduzzaman also spoke about the government's efforts to bring former prime minister Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh.
“The government will take all necessary legal steps to bring Sheikh Hasina back under the prisoner exchange treaty. The government hopes that India will return her under this agreement. All legally necessary steps to bring her back have been taken,” he said.
The law minister outlined the government's position on establishing integrity in the judiciary, ensuring accountability among judges and protecting the independence of the judicial system.
