Bangladesh
Dr Yunus Government is not under pressure on Dr. Yunus issue: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Own correspondent, Dhaka, 29 August 2023: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said that the government is not upset or under any pressure regarding the letter written by 175 world leaders and Nobel laureates to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regarding Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
He said this in response to reporters' questions at the end of the Korea-Bangladesh economic cooperation seminar organized by the Korean Embassy at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday afternoon. 175 world leaders, including more than 100 Nobel laureates, have written an open letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, fearing that Dr. Muhammad Yunus may be punished.
In response to a question, the state minister said, "Anyone can say anything from any position in the world of free speech and no matter how out-of-the-way I say it, the government had no influence here, nor will there be in the future. The judiciary of Bangladesh is independent. An independent judiciary that thinks, (Do that) on the basis of the facts. That's a call to stop a judicial process that's unheard of."
She said, "I don't think those who join this petition are doing their reputation proper justice. They can observe a trial, but a person who is involved in a business that employs hundreds of thousands of people, who owns property, has a legal issue. There may be. That does not mean that he becomes a criminal and cannot be investigated. Is there any person in the world against whom an allegation cannot be investigated or taken to court?"
The Minister of State said, "It is disappointing that one person is being given continuous protection, we can understand the reasons for this. In the past, some individuals or institutions have achieved international status not only because of their quality. There is a lot of investment behind it. I do not want to go there. And this is the government's statement. No, my own statement. But no matter what Bangladesh judiciary is independent. Judiciary will decide and the trial will continue. We are not upset or worried or stressed about it."
