A human rights organization strongly criticized the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association for disqualifying over 20 lawyers allegedly linked to the Awami League from participating in the upcoming elections. The move was denounced as undemocratic and a threat to the legal profession’s independence by Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF).
The decision to bar these lawyers, made during an extraordinary general meeting in Dhaka, has sparked controversy. The SCBA’s action was based on claims of political affiliation, prompting concerns about fairness and neutrality within the legal community. The JMBF emphasized that such political discrimination has no place in a reputable legal institution.
The JMBF highlighted that the SCBA’s requirement for lawyers to declare non-affiliation with a specific party to run for office violates fundamental rights. This condition, deemed coercive and authoritarian, raises alarms about the erosion of democratic norms. The organization called for a reversal of the decision and the inclusion of all disqualified candidates to ensure a fair and inclusive election process.
