Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said there is no bar for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to remain involved in politics, but she has already been convicted in two corruption cases, and thus cannot participate in the next general election as per the constitution.
The government will not interfere in her doing politics, he said, adding, “Whether she will do politics or not, it’s her personal matter.”
Anisul was speaking to reporters after attending an orientation course organised for the newly appointed assistant judges, by Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in Dhaka.
“The constitution states that anyone who has been sentenced to two or more years of imprisonment cannot participate in the elections. There is nothing new to say,” the minister added.
Regarding the Data Protection Act, Anisul said, “I will reiterate that there will be discussions on the law with stakeholders before it goes to the Cabinet.
“We have discussed with the stakeholders before the move, and discussions will continue on the matter so that the law is not perceived as being about data control. The law aims to protect data.”
Anisul said that in the constitution given by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he clearly kept freedom of speech and freedom of media as fundamental rights. This is not seen in the constitution of many democratic countries.
“So, if anyone is worried, or imagines that during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina's government, there will be such a law where people’s freedom of speech or freedom of media is damaged, this concern is unfounded,” he added.
JATI Director General Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana presided over the ceremony. Law ministry’s Law and Justice Division Secretary Golam Sarwar, and JATI’s Director (Training) Sheikh Ashfaqur Rahman, were among those who delivered speeches.
