United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said the government has already decided to propose that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights undertakes an investigation into the case over the assassination of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi at the earliest opportunity. He made remarks when asked whether the Interim government would seek an international investigation into the assassination of Hadi. The interim government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring full justice in this case and will extend all possible cooperation to such an investigation, Alam said. Inqilab Moncho on Thursday staged a sit-in outside the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, demanding an impartial investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of its spokesperson Hadi. The protest began around 5pm with Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Zuma, Hadi’s wife and a small number of activists participating in the programme. Addressing the gathering, Abdullah Al Jaber said they had deliberately limited the number of protesters considering possible security concerns. “We could have brought many more people if we wanted. We are waiting here with the wife of martyr Osman Hadi until we receive a clear assurance from the Chief Adviser. Without a full guarantee of justice, we will not withdraw from this sit-in,” he said. Stating their specific demand, Jaber said the programme would continue until the government formally announces a neutral investigation into Hadi’s killing under UN supervision. Zuma said Inqilab Moncho, along with Hadi’s wife, had taken position in front of Jamuna to press for the UN-monitored probe. She alleged that while the platform has cooperated with the government, administration and political parties, it has not received similar cooperation in return. Later in the evening, the Jamaat-backed 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency Nasiruddin Patwary visited the site and expressed solidarity with Inqilab Moncho. Hadi was also expected to contest the election from the same constituency. Hadi was shot by assailants on December 12 at Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station in Dhaka, a day after the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election and a referendum was announced. Inqilab Moncho stages sit-in outside Jamuna, demands UN-led probe into Hadi killing He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, later to Evercare Hospital, and eventually flown to Singapore. Hadi died on the night of December 18 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital. Following the incident, Jaber filed a case of attempted murder with Paltan Police Station on December 14, which was later converted into a murder case.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said Bangladesh needs to fix a lot of things, including its "broken" criminal justice system so that they can ensure justice to every suspect. "The biggest thing we need is to fix our broken criminal justice system so that we can ensure justice to every suspect," he said. In a Facebook post from his verified account on Monday, Alam said that for decades, justice has been hijacked by "custodial threats and tortures" and by a corrupt and largely politically influenced police investigation system. Focus on opportunities, challenges in Bangladesh-India ties: Roundtable The bigger issue here is custodial torture and forcible extraction of confessions to prove charges against suspects, he observed. "Unless we fix this dangerously inept system, no one is safe in Bangladesh," Alam said. The Press Secretary said anyone can be framed for any murder charges here and can be hanged with massive clippings by an easily manipulated mob. Fight Indian media's misformation campaign with truth: CA's Press Secretary He said they need to amend or rewrite the constitution and fix the "easily rigged and flawed" voting system. "We need to fix our extremely inefficient and partisan bureaucracy," Alam added.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has encouraged more journalists including woman reporters and editors to talk to the Indian media to confront misinformation campaign coming from some of the Indian media outlets and their social media platforms. "We must tell our stories our way. Else, they will set our narrative according to their liking," he said, highlighting the importance of getting empowered by the truth to fight against misinformation campaign. Media reform commission members have solid backgrounds, says CA's press secretary Alam, in Facebook post from his verified account, said Indians should know that smarter people also live in its Eastern border and a few months back these people have ousted a "brutal dictatorship" in one of the finest revolutions in human history. The press secretary said he is happy to see some of the journalist friends are speaking to the Indian media, especially their cacophonous TV stations. "Many of us were afraid that we would struggle against the verbal onslaught of their TV hosts," Alam observed. Govt won't tolerate any violence, warns CA's press secretary terming AL a fascist party He said some have defied fears and they are "boldly telling our side of the story." Alam said they have realised that it is time to confront an "industrial scale misinformation campaign" coming from some of the Indian media outlets and their social media platforms. The press secretary said he knows they will make mistakes and they will also be intimidated. "Some may get the impression that the Indians are smarter people. But believe me if you are empowered by truth, no misinformation campaign can stop you," Alam said.