A delegation from Turkey's Jurists Union held a meeting with BNP leaders on Friday, where they discussed a range of issues, including Bangladesh's judicial system, and the prosecution of individuals implicated in repressive actions who have sought refuge abroad following the mass uprising.
The 16-member delegation of the Turkey's Jurists Union visited the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan around 3 pm, and held discussions with a BNP team led by Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, according to UNB.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khasru said the discussions covered several key issues, including Bangladesh's judicial system, the return of individuals who fled the country following the mass uprising, and the accountability of those involved in extrajudicial killings.
“We discussed Bangladesh's judicial system during this transitional period, following the removal of the autocrats. We also talked about how to bring those who fled the country to trial, drawing on Turkey's experience and practices in this regard,” he said.
The BNP said the discussions also covered how to prosecute politicians and those who abetted the autocratic government in perpetrating mass killings during the uprising, forcibly making people disappear, carrying out extrajudicial killings, and committing other repressive acts.
He also talked about the legal procedures required to bring back the autocratic ruler and her cohorts, who had fled the country.
"Our discussions with them will continue as we work towards reforming our judiciary. It's impossible to maintain order if the judicial system is not functioning properly.”
Khosru also mentioned that, out of 12,000 judges and prosecutors in Turkey, 4,000 were removed due to alleged links to a failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Many politicians and government officials fled Turkey following their failed attempt to oust Erdogan, he said.
“We discussed how we can draw from their experience in this regard,” he added.
Apart from Khasru, BNP Chairperson's Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee Member Tajvirul Islam, along with party leaders Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Ashim and Shama Obaid, were also present at the meeting.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
