Bangladesh Awami League has strongly criticized the arrest of Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the former Parliament speaker, denouncing the allegations against her as “baseless and fabricated”. Chaudhury, the first female Speaker of the country, was detained by Bangladesh police from her residence in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi early Tuesday morning. A case has been filed against Chaudhury in connection with the fatal shooting of gold worker Muslim Uddin in Rangpur during the July 2024 protests, as reported by Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune.
Expressing deep concern over the treatment of Chaudhury during her arrest, the Awami League condemned the “physical and mental abuse” she faced, stating that such actions against a competent and humane woman politician go against democratic values and human rights. The party emphasized that targeting individuals who have held constitutional positions and contributed to upholding democratic institutions is not only shameful but sets a negative precedent.
The Awami League asserted that the alleged false cases and repressive measures are driven by political motives, endangering the democratic atmosphere in the country and violating principles of justice. The party called for the immediate release of Chaudhury and urged the withdrawal of all “false and harassing” cases against national leaders and citizens, emphasizing the need for a fair and democratic state in Bangladesh.
Last month, the Awami League expressed concern over the ongoing mass arrests and custodial deaths of political figures nationwide, accusing the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government of resorting to repression and torture to silence dissent and settle political scores. The party highlighted the detrimental impact of repeated arrests, remand orders, and custodial deaths on the nation, sparking widespread discontent and anger.
