Crime and punishment
Terrorism is not on the decline! RAB ‘crossfire’ victims is not beyond question. Why is that? What is the way out?
Let us do first thing first. Sheikh Mujib murder trial left the main plotters out. What was the motive? Who held that motive?
Ziaur Rahman, also a President of the country was murdered. The case has not even been inquired into by an official order.
How can an ordinary citizen’s murder deem a fair trial?
QN Zaman
DOHS (Old), Dhaka
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‘It is a practice of our justice to condemn some as a warning to others. To condemn them because they have done wrong would be stupidity, as Plato says; for what is done cannot be undone. But they are condemned so that they may not do the same wrong again, or so that others may avoid the example of their wrongdoing.’ (Montaigne).
Thus one may justify that the ‘extra-judicial killing’ in ‘crossfire’ serves the same end-point of condemnation plus warning as Montaigne maintained. But this simplification misses the very important point of ‘practice of our justice’. Built-in checks and balances are intrinsic to the justice system. Arguments are made pro and cons. The accused has his/her time to present his/her own stories in presence of fellow citizens (juries or assessors). A judgment is rendered and the common people know the ins and outs.
Yes, justice system at its crux, at times to the chagrin of many, is an elaborate process lest we condemn our innocent.
Yet when I talk to my friends at home, the paradox is confounding. They also despise the idea of killing by crossfire but still are happy with the proximate outcome. Criminals, after long, are really afraid! Such ambivalence of my friends at home sprouts directly from a feeling of helplessness that nothing can be done and that the lesser pain is better than the greater!
But the government with its enormous machineries of power is no helpless fawn like a commoner. It just is callus and moribund. Or it just doesn’t care about the inherent rights of its citizens. Hence, to do one ‘small good’, it embarks on one ‘terrible bad’.
Once upon a time, it was ‘Operation Clean Heart’ that eventually morphed into the then-infamous ‘Operation Heart Attack’. Those pathetic operators were not sufficiently abreast of the physiology of heart attack otherwise they also could have divined the new meaning of now-infamous but much more palatable ‘Operation Crossfire’. What a morbid inflection of a rather mundane word ‘CROSSFIRE’!
Extreme situation, indeed, needs extreme measure. Situation arising from stupidity and apathy, however, often ends up with stupendously stupid measure! Crime and violence is not a quantity and/or entity in itself. It rather is a form of a more sinister societal illness ‘that can aptly be described in a single sad word ‘lawlessness’. Unlawful extra-judicial measure, not only adds further to the abysmal entropy but also acts as a catalyst for its accelerated perpetuation, especially when it is sanctioned by a legitimate government — the prime function of which, as John Locke would have argued, is to preserve and protect the rights of its citizens.
Living in my safe sanctuary in North America, I am not subject to the abject lawlessness ‘as experienced by my friends living in Dhaka’. I, thus, am in no position to utter a single word opposing their position of staying mum. But as a person who cares for dignity and sanctity of human life ‘I do have harsh opinion as to the stated policy of an elected government. This very ruling alliance, while in opposition, made a shrewd docu-ad depicting the tyranny of the ‘then-government’. That docu-ad provided a significant mileage for the current alliance during the last general election. Sadly, they are amnesic now. Tyranny remains rampant, if not worse. They surely need an anamnestic response to wake up and root out the terrible ochlocratic invasion that slowly is eating up the very core of a once-cohesive nation that fought valiantly in ‘oneness’ in not-so-distant past for the very rights that are being zestfully trampled in no uncertain terms!
Moammad Zaman
Cary, North Carolina
‘Court hangs history’
I am really delighted to read Nurul Kabir’s column ‘Court hangs history’ (March 9). Days before when I read the High Court’s verdict on the question of exclusion of the word Muslim from Fazlul Haque Hall, I felt simply disgusted and outraged as I had felt the same earlier when the High Court made the same ruling on S M Hall on May 3, 2004.
It is really amazing to witness how the High Court poses the question of legality in this particular context. If the dropping or exclusion of Muslim is illegal from the High Court’s legal point of view, then should it not direct the Govt. of Bangladesh to change the name of the country or State and rename it as East Pakistan? Because from orthodox legal point of view that is only legal. The High Court in this particular case perhaps forgot the fact that the State of Bangladesh was not created like the States of India and Pakistan through solicitation and underhand arrangement with foreign rulers and there was no legal or constitutional basis of its establishment as there was no peaceful and legal or constitutional transfer of power. On the contrary, Bangladesh was created by defying and overthrowing the legal and constitutational basis of a State based on religious communalism. So Bangladesh as a State has its legal basis only in its people’s secular and Bengali nationalist will that culminated in the armed struggle for national independence in 1971.
It is our tragedy that the weaknesses of our national leadership since independence till date have driven us to this situation when the High Court Justices can afford to forget the fact of our glorious history of the freedom movement and war.
But it is known to any student of history that history has never been forged by any ruling of any court of law. Again I congratulate the writer for his courageous and timely column.
Shamsuzzoha Manik
On e-mail
Drug addiction rehabilitation
I would like to comment on an article in New Age titled ‘Private drug rehabilitation centres in sorry state’ (February 23). I have read and re-read the article trying to find a small positive word or two. But all I found were general statements that were negative and misleading. Yes there are problems concerning many of the detox places, clinics, etc. But I challenge the writer or others to find a better system that is cost effective and resulting in more effective rehabilitation and behaviour change of drug users than that found in some of the real ‘Drug Rehabilitation Centres’ in Dhaka. At least a couple of us are providing very effective service through our private Drug Rehabilitation Programs with good success rates.
The article notes that some private ‘centres’ are ‘run without any authorisation from the narcotics department of the home ministry’. True, but in fact there is no authority that may authorise places trying to offer basic services and the human rights of all drug addicts to good health, which includes treatment and rehabilitation for the sickness called drug addiction.
It is noted that ‘a law is being drafted for licensing and monitoring these private drug addicts’ clinics’. While I fully agree that the points being considered for the law being drafted are basically good and in theory may be required. But in fact they are impractical if we wish to offer all of the people in Bangladesh desiring treatment and rehabilitation the opportunity for their basic right to good health. The cost of providing these doctors, nurses, space, etc. is extremely expensive. Maybe the government can provide the funds for these doctors, nurses, space, etc. but will the results at their treatment centres be of the same high quality as the results of some of these private centres who cannot afford the doctors, nurses, etc? The results and successes have answered that question very clearly for some years now.
Some of us serving in the private Drug Rehabilitation Centres are providing good service, we have good results and it is cost effective. We, in fact use the best professionals — recovering drug addicts. These young men and women know the problems of drug addiction, know the frustration of getting on drugs and not being able to get off by themselves, know much more about drug addiction than many of the doctors, nurses, officials, etc. Some of the professionals the law will insist as necessary for a good rehabilitation program need training about drug addiction, treatment, etc. before they can help an addict get well while a rehabilitated drug addicts speaks from his/her heart and life experiences.
Unfortunately, it is possible this draft law will be passed in the near future. I again say the theory is good but we just do not at this time in Bangladesh have the funds available to provide for all of these doctors and nurses who could be of value in a good rehabilitation centre. But everybody has a human right to good health. I request the concerned people, including the Members of Parliament, to find the funds to implement the law before the law in passed. I would also request them to include provisions for those who are among the ‘best professionals’ in a drug rehabilitation centre — recovering addicts who have been through a good rehabilitation program, have remained off drugs for at least two years and who have a basic education.
The statistics in the article note that 1,725 drug users have taken treatment in the four government-run detox centres. The fact is that the private Drug Rehabilitation Centres just in Dhaka have provided long term rehabilitation and behaviour change treatment to many more drug users than the figure noted in these four government detox centres. There are today many recovered drug users in Bangladesh who have received treatment and rehabilitation in the private centres. Some of these recovered drug addicts have been free of drugs for many years and are serving in various responsible positions and are a positive credit to Bangladesh. Too often we see only the negative in good things or note the one bad thing when there are ten good things. It is a disservice to recovered drug addicts and those of us who have given years of service to them and their guardians to make general statements that are misleading and do not reflect the actual situation.
Brother Ronald Drahozal, CSC
Director, APON (Addiction Rehabilitation Residence)
Mohammadpur, Dhaka
Intricate issues imply
careful examination
Two news items pertinent to international relationship took place in New Age on March 3, 2005 and need to be addressed from my viewpoint. One is ‘tri-national gas pipeline’ and the other is ‘strategic ties with China’. Obviously relationship with India is relevant to both the issues.
We prefer to consider India, our closest neighbour, as our friendly country and backer. But Indian attitude towards Bangladesh obstructs us to confirm the belief. If we go for consulting the history of Tin Bigha corridor we can get the real gesture of Indian authority toward Bangladesh. This was an accepted Land Boundary Agreement signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in May 1974. The Berubari dispute was resolved through an Agreement that stipulates:
‘India will retain the southern half of South Berubari Union No. 12 and the adjacent enclaves, measuring an area of 2.64 square miles approximately, and in exchange Bangladesh will retain the Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves.
India will lease in perpetuity to Bangladesh an area of 178 metres x 85 metres near ‘Tin Bigha’ to connect Dahagram with Panbari Mouza (P.S. Patgram) of Bangladesh.’
India took control of the Berubari and adjacent enclaves immediately after signing of the document, but Bangladesh had to continue lobbing through Delhi corridor up to 1995 for a 178 metres long corridor connecting Dahagram with Panbari. This instance adequately indicates that India, our powerful neighbour give a damn to its own commitments. Recurrent killings of Bangladeshi citizens inside Bangladesh by BSF bullets sufficiently communicate that India doesn’t care about bilateral relationship. Unilateral withdrawal of water from international rivers at the up streams of Bangladesh is a sigh of clear unfriendly attitude toward Bangladesh. The latest attempt of linking 32 trans-boundary rivers including the Brahmaputra to divert the streams through India bypassing Bangladesh is a plan to leave Bangladesh without water and victimise its 140 million inhabitants. It is possible because source of water is an advantage bestowed to India and we are to seek its help perpetually. Green leafs of Independence may become brown without water.
The more techniques we transfer to India the more chances of dying we are proposing. Indian pipeline through Bangladesh may become such a technique.
Once the document of the Tri-national gas pipeline is signed its proper implementation will call up some risks. Guarantee of continuous flow of gas, maintenance and security of the pipeline may become extra burden to fulfil on the part of Bangladesh, whereas our security issues may be overlooked by India. It is felt that Bangladesh will have to face embarrassed situation which may affect trade issues, water issues, political issues, other regional and international issues like SAARC and others.
The other topic on strategic ties with China has been reported nicely. The attempt of strengthening a strategic relationship with China may not be liked by India, although Xu Wei has correctly said that security issues in South Asia are very much related to security of China as the big powers including USA have interests in the region. ‘The South Asia region, which also owns the Indian Ocean as important transporting line, is a focus of big powers, which include USA, Russia, Europe and Japan.’ When China, the biggest power in Asia, is worried about its security Bangladesh has no place to talk about its own security.
In this perspective Enayetullah Khan made an impressive comment, saying ‘Bangladesh and China have to be co-traveller in maintaining peace and ensuring development in the region’. For the interests of security and peace of South Asian region China has to accept the role of leadership to initiate a new forum for economic development including all SAARC countries keeping the door open for other countries to join, and we may take that India will not allow SAARC to move further.
China has to extend open support towards our development and provide amenities for protecting our independence. Unless, we get support for the cause of development, only warfare support will make us merely a militant nation. Our motto should be to prosper, no confrontation.
Attempts to administer both the issues would require comprehensive homework at the highest level of the government and address a set of planned questionnaire. Workshop or round-table may be convened inviting scholars and politicians ignoring partisan to resolve decisions to be placed in future meetings with India and China. These are national issues not belonging to any particular party. Interactions of other party leaders and scholars may unlock the contrasts to handle the issues comfortably by the appropriate authority.
M Hoque
Dhaka
DU female hall
It’s good news that Dhaka University (DU) authorities have taken an initiative to build a new hall for the female students near the Science Faculty. I requested several years ago through the letters column of different dailies for such a hostel since there have been none for the female students at the Curzon Hall area. Two major halls are located near the Arts Faculty. Then I also requested to allot the now Ekushey Hall to the female students. That was not materialised and was allotted to the male students.
As far as I can remember, the last AL government declared that a piece of land of Bangladesh Railway located on the eastern side of the Curzon Hall would be handed over to the DU authority for the purpose. Now it is learnt that the government has handed over 2.59 acres such land to the university authorities in this regard.
I hope the construction of the said hall would start soon and it would contain also the Provost’s House and some facilities for the house tutors as is being planned. However, as regards the naming, I have some reservation. Naming institutions after the name of any living personality has some flattering effect aimed at gaining something. So such naming cannot be regarded as honest and sincere task. Logically, ‘Khaleda Zia Hall’ signboard hung at the front of the hall doesn’t seem at all appropriate.
I realise that the incumbent prime minister Khaleda Zia is a renowned personality and some institutions may, well, be named after her. But should that happen immediately?
We can search the history to have an appropriate name for the hall. We had many illustrious ladies besides Begum Rokeya and Shamsunnahar. Few names such as Pritilota, Nawab Faizunnesa, Sufia Kamal can be considered appropriate for naming the concerned Ladies’ Hall.
MAS Molla
BAAS, Dhaka
Launch disasters
The recent news in the national dailies regarding bribery in the shipping department has pushed us one step to find out one of the root causes of launch disasters in Bangladesh. In the last incident, as we have seen, the minister and the relevant officials made a formal visit to the site and tried to defend the government on river transport management. This is not acceptable to the general people and the family members of the victims. It does not reflect the sincerity and honest intention of the ministry to resolve the problem. It is useless if we do not find any effective action plan to identify the causes behind launch disasters.
According to the report, there are many reasons for these disasters. Firstly, the designs of some motor launches are not technically flawless, but some corrupt architects in the shipping department certify these vessels.
Secondly, the launch owners are not showing any commitment to go by the rules and safety regulations due to lack of control of the concerned government authorities.
Thirdly, the ‘Sareng’ of these launches are sometimes reluctant to work long hours and forget about their duties and responsibilities. As a result the helpers of the motor launches take charge.
Fourthly, the existing launch fleet is not adequate to meet the demand of passengers, especially during festivals, holidays and weekends.
So, it is the time to reorganise the whole structure of the shipping department. The ministry has to be dynamic and effective.
Zahir U Hyder
Dhaka
Guess who did not come to dinner!
The event: Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Conference (on Palestine-Israeli conflict). The venue: London, England. The purpose: to revive the moribund ‘peace process’.
Mahmoud Abbas came; so did many dignitaries from the Arab world; and of course the very persuasive and very engaged Condoleezza Rice. Yet, who did not turn up? None other than Israeli supreme Ariel Sharon. For Sharon could not care less.
But look at Mahmoud; he had no alternative (so hard pressed as he and his predecessor have been). He came and got lectured on how to build democratic institutions and take lessons in democratic doings with willing help by his benefactors.
What a great service this Blair conference is for Israel! With his European and American partners in close attendance, Blair is preaching his ‘mumbo jumbo’ on how to qualify to become a State to a people robbed of their land, driven from their homes, and kept under oppressive occupation. He of all should know how Britain in the past had perpetrated one of history’s biggest fraud by engineering the hijacking of Palestine to create a Jewish homeland; that against all notions of justice and all principles of Nationhood. Yes, I recall the Balfour Declaration. And now he is serving the case of Ariel Sharon and doing that without shame. Which other people have been demanded such tough tests before their fundamental rights of self-determination were established in statehood? Which other people have been deceived by such hollow promises with such astounding hypocrisy not to speak of such horrendous violation of human rights?
This London Conference is yet another sham. Britain, the European Union, and of course the United States have not shown the courage or the honesty to address the root cause on the conflict let alone intervene to correct all the wrongs done to the Palestinians. They have not addressed the illegal occupation, illegal settlements and annexations of stolen territory, the inalienable right to return of refugees expelled; they have kept the Palestine statehood and the core issues outside all the serial ‘peace process’ acrobatics. By doing so, all these peace ‘brokers’ have soiled their hands, became complicit to the fraud enacted by the intransigent partner. They have done great disservice to the Palestine cause as also eroded their own credibility.
And by offering to give some money to rebuild the Palestine infrastructure destroyed by Israel in the first place, the parties are subsidising Israel who should in fact and by law be paying for the wanton damage done. That is far from charity.
No, we view the London Conference for what it really is. By putting a flimsy cover upon the intransigence of one party refusing to take part, it exposes the sterility of all the effort; it confirms the total lack of willingness and ability of Britain, European Union, and America to face up to the real obstacle. The road map is moribund if not dead. The London Conference is dead on arrival.
By a strange logic, not politically correct though, the Palestinians might be better off without the pious brokers whose claim to piety rests upon pronouncing platitudes without the courage or honesty to demand compliance with the minimum obligations by both parties to a festering conflict. Better off because such hollow promises camouflage a mirage and bring a false sense of hope only to be belied in time thus causing worse frustrations.
Husain
Dhaka
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