On July 1, 2024, protests by students regarding job quotas erupted in Bangladesh, leading to a situation where Prof Muhammad Yunus faced a serious threat of being imprisoned. Just six months earlier, Yunus, the chairman of Grameen Telecom and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been found guilty of violating labor laws and sentenced to six months in jail. While awaiting a review of the case, he was granted bail by the trial court, which was later extended by the appeals court.
The prosecution and sentencing of Yunus were widely believed to be politically motivated, as the Awami League government had been subjecting him to harassment and intimidation for a considerable period. Even if there were minor technical violations by Grameen Telecom, no harm had been done to the employees, making the six-month sentence imposed on Yunus appear disproportionately severe compared to similar cases.
Despite being a free man due to the bail granted by the courts, Yunus still faced the looming threat of imprisonment for the alleged labor law violations as an appeal decision awaited. Additionally, Yunus found himself entangled in another criminal case with baseless allegations of corruption initiated by the highly politicized Anti-Corruption Commission. Although charges were formally brought against Yunus and his co-accused, they were granted bail, but the possibility of a jail sentence remained pending a verdict.
Yunus, now serving as the head of the current interim government, understands firsthand the challenges of facing unfounded accusations, politically driven prosecutions, and the imminent risk of imprisonment, along with the significance of bail. Adilur Rahman Khan, a member of the interim cabinet, also encountered political persecution based on frivolous claims and was even imprisoned in his case.
Both Yunus and Khan, who have experienced the misuse of the justice system for political purposes and arbitrary detention, are expected to advocate against such practices. However, under the new government led by Yunus and with Khan playing a significant role, a justice system has been established where individuals associated with the previous government or its supporters face arrests and imprisonment without proper investigations.
Despite their personal ordeals, Yunus and Khan have not taken proactive steps to prevent arbitrary detentions under their leadership, raising concerns about their commitment to justice and human rights. The government’s reluctance to address these issues has drawn criticism, with calls for a plan to address human rights violations and ensure accountability.
The response from Yunus’s press secretary acknowledges the troubling pattern of arbitrary detentions in Bangladesh but defends the government’s hands-off approach, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence. However, critics argue that the government needs to take more decisive actions to prevent unjust detentions and uphold the rule of law.
In conclusion, Yunus and Khan’s inaction in addressing arbitrary detentions and political prosecutions is viewed as hypocritical, and there are growing calls for accountability and a transparent plan to address these human rights violations.