Published : 03 Dec 2014, 04:50 PM
Updated : 08 Aug 2022, 07:23 PM
In an immediate reaction to Tuesday’s judgment, she said: “This verdict of the tribunal is a serious blow to the spirit of the Liberation War.”
“Liberation War spirit means practice of freedom of thought and tolerance of different opinions. The Constitution acknowledges speaking against anything if there is any difference of opinions.
“Unfortunately, today’s verdict of this court in no way upholds the freedom of speech. Rather it gags (it),” she said.
The ICT-2 Chairman Obaidul Hasan ordered the British national to stand in court for the whole day on Tuesday. He was also fined Tk 5,000, failing to pay which he will have to spend seven days in prison.
The daughter of Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain said journalists present here should raise questions over this issue. The Constitution did not say that journalists could not say or do anything; they will be gagged by the contempt of court law this way, there will be no provision for appeal.
Barrister Hossain asked if determination of ‘everything by the law of the court’ was constitutional or not.
High Court lawyer Abul Kalam Azad moved the court on Feb 19 seeking contempt proceedings against Bergman for his two blog pieces – ‘Azad Judgment Analysis-1, In Absentia Trial and Defence Inadequacy’ and ‘Azad Judgment Analysis-2, Tribunal Assumption' published on Jan 28 last year.
Advocate Sayeed Mizan argued at the hearing on his plea.
Asked about Bergman’s staying in Bangladesh, Hossain said; “It doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the tribunal. It’s not their job to look into anyone’s citizenship.”
Sara Hossain
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