After 9 Days Amar Desh published again...
Latest on Mahmudur Rahman
DHAKA. 10 June 2010. Bangladesh Judiciary is perhaps coming to senses to restore its dignity that was lost in the public eye when the declaration of Amar Desh was cancelled on 1st June;Consequently, privileged by administrative decision, the regime displayed brutal terror of armed police battalion to arrest Mahmudur Rahman.
In such dark scenario, the bench of Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana and Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif stayed for three months the government's decision to close down Amar Desh ordered and implemented by the District Commissioner. If judicial gesture of some benches reiterates the commitment of judiciary to protect freedom of thought, conscience and expression it surely signal hope. The people may see a ray of judicial light, even limited in scope, that could still function to seek remedy from a government desperate to silence all opposition voices and punish and torture citizens who are critical of the government's role. It is anticipated that government will appeal agaginst this decsion but at least there are some benches that stand on principal to protect freedom of press.
In another bench Justice Tarikul Hakim and Justice Soumendra Sarkar also ordered the government that if interrogated in remand Mahmudur Rahman should only be done in presence of his lawyers and in a glass box so that the lawyers can observe. This is also a good news for the human rights defenders as it is in line with the direction previously set by the court in the case of Blast versus the governement.
The news brought joy and determination to the journalists and staff of Amar Desh. A bulletin is already published today.
However, political observers are certain that government will hardly heed to the court direction, It is temporary till government run to appeal against the decision. Mahmudur has become dangerous for the government because exposition of the corruption of the regime and the involvement of Sheikh Hasina's family in the BDR massacre. Both these issues is impossible to deal as long as dissenting voice like Mahmudur Rahman is brutally suppressed.