Government does not want to create distance with journalists: Law Minister
Prothom Alo senior journalist Rozina Islam will get justice, said Law Minister Advocate Md. Anisul Haque. He said she will surely get justice. And the government never wants to create distance between the journalists and the government. If there is any doubt, the government will work to remove it.
Leaders of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum-BSRF and President of the National Press Club Farida Yasmin and General Secretary Ilias Khan met him at the Law Minister's residence on Tuesday (May 18) night. The minister said this in response to a question from reporters after the meeting. BSRF President Tapan Biswas, Finance Secretary Masudul Haque and others were present at the time.
Regarding the investigation that the journalist leaders have talked about, he said, the investigation that they have talked about will definitely be discussed. Moreover, the bail hearing will be held the next Thursday. The bail hearing will surely be looked by the court, the court will consider everything. I will also ask the prosecution to look into the case.
Asked whether she will get justice or not, the law minister said, "She will get justice."
Farida Yasmin, president of the press club said Rozina Islam had been harassed and physically abused while performing her professional duties. She was tortured in the name of search. Those responsible for this incident, the officers who tortured her should be properly investigated. It is not under the Ministry of Health, we have told the Law Minister through any other ministry outside that if possible it should be investigated and judged by the people of his ministry.
"Journalists work for the country, journalists work for democracy, journalists work for the people," he said. She (Rozina) did not go there for personal gain. When a journalist is attacked, it affects all journalists. This condition of my colleague may happen to me tomorrow. Earlier we met with the Home Minister, also met with the Information Minister.
The law minister assured us. He has a sympathetic mind towards journalists, we have confidence in him. We have said that Rozina will stay where she is in jail for a few days, she will be fine and we will not torture her in any way.
We also demanded that the case be withdrawn and he be released. We do not want any confrontation between the government and the media. We love this country, journalists work for the country, work to take the country forward.