Senior lawyer Barrister Abdur Razzaq has shared the circumstances that led him to leave the country over a decade ago. Speaking at a reception held at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium on Monday (January 6), Barrister Razzaq stated that many people would not have had to leave the country or face imprisonment if the judiciary had been preserved and protected. He recently returned to Bangladesh after spending 11 years in England.

The event was chaired by former acting President and former Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar. Other notable speakers included retired Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council Advocate Zainul Abedin, Advocate S.M. Shahjahan, Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman, and Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Mohammad Tajul Islam. The program was organized by Barrister Abdur Razzaq Associates.

During the event, Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar addressed the legal fraternity and emphasized their responsibility in strengthening the legal system. He expressed confidence that a robust legal profession could eventually lead to significant improvements in the country's governance. He remarked, “If you lawyers stand strong, sooner or later, the country will inevitably move towards a better future.”

He also highlighted the contrast between the British colonial rulers and the current state of governance. "The British ruled and exploited us, but they still respected the rule of law," he said. "Now, a politician can disappear while walking down the street, and such disappearances were unheard of in the past."

Barrister Abdur Razzaq recounted his own experiences, detailing the events that unfolded during his brief visit to London in 2013. Initially planned as a two-week trip, his stay was extended due to a series of incidents back home. He spoke about the charges filed against him for alleged involvement in a bomb attack on the police, as well as the directive issued by then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to arrest him. These events, he explained, compelled him to remain abroad.

Reflecting on those turbulent times, he underscored the significance of an independent judiciary. “If we could have safeguarded the judiciary, many leaders would not have had to leave the country. Many would not have ended up in prison,” he said. He added that preserving the judiciary could have saved the nation from the grips of dictatorship much earlier.

Barrister Razzaq called on both the legal community and the public to prioritize the independence of the judiciary. “Today, both the bar and the bench, as well as the general public, must share a common goal: never allowing our judiciary to be subjugated. Alongside this, we must build a strong and independent bar,” he stated.

Throughout the event, speakers echoed the need for strengthening the legal system to ensure justice and accountability. Retired Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury emphasized the pivotal role of lawyers in upholding democratic values. Advocate Zainul Abedin underscored the importance of protecting the judiciary from external pressures and political influence, while Attorney General Asaduzzaman highlighted the role of the legal profession in shaping a fairer society.

Barrister Razzaq’s return to the country after over a decade has reignited discussions about the challenges faced by the judiciary and the broader legal system in Bangladesh. His reflections on his experiences and the critical role of an independent judiciary serve as a reminder of the fundamental principles needed to ensure justice and the rule of law.

The event concluded with a renewed call for collective efforts to protect the judiciary from political interference and to establish a legal system that upholds the rights of all citizens.