Editors protest global leaders’ letter on Prof Yunus issue

Some fifty editors of national dailies have expressed concern over the open letter of global leaders to suspend the ongoing judicial proceedings against Nobel laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus.

They termed open letter to the Prime Minister by foreigners an unsolicited interference in the independence judiciary of Bangladesh.

In a statement on Saturday, the editors mentioned that the judiciary of the country performs its duties independently according to the Article 94(4) of the Constitution. They found the letter tantamount to interfering in the country’s sovereignty.

“It’s an unsolicited interference in the independent judiciary of the country. We strongly protest it,” reads the statement signed by Rafiqul Islam Ratan, on behalf of the respective editors.

The editors echoed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to have called the global leaders to observe the legal process of Dr Yunus whether any harassment here.

“It’s an unsolicited encroachment on sovereignty of an independent country achieved through glorious liberation war,” added the statement.

Prime Minister’s former media advisor and Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury is the top signatory of the statement followed by Ajker Patrika Editor Golam Rahman, Ittefaq Editor Tasmima Hossain, BSS Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad, Kaler Kantho Editor-in-Chief Imdadul Haq Milan, Samakal Editor Alamgir Hossain, Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam, UNB Editor Farid Hossain, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Editor Emiretus Nayeemul Islam Khan, Sangbad Editor Altamash Kabir, People’s Time Editor Azizul Islam Bhuiyan, Daily Sun Editor Md Rezaul Karim and Bangladesh Journal Editor Shahjahan Sardar.

Other signatories are Amader Notun Shomoy Editor Nasima Khan Monty, Bangladesh Bulletin Editor Rafiqul Islam Ratan, Ajkaler Khabor Editor Faroque Talukder, Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma, Bangladesh Post Editor-In-Chief Sharif Shahab Uddin, Janakantha Editor Shamima A Khan, Shomoyer Alo Acting Editor Kamalesh Roy, Protidiner Bangladesh Editor Mustafiz Shafi and Desh Rupantor Acting Editor Mustafa Mamun.

The statement is also endorsed by Bhorer Dak Editor Belayet Hossen, Dainik Bangla Editor Chowdhury Jafarullah Sharafat, Alokito Bangladesh Managing Editor Shamim Siddiqui, Sangbad Sarabela Editor Abdul Majid, Sangbad Pratidin Acting Editor Rimon Mahfuz, Bangladesher Alo Editor Mofizur Rahman Khan Babu, Dhaka Times Editor Arifur Rahman Dolon, Sokaler Somoy Editor Nur Hakim, Amar Barta Editor Md Jasim, Swadhin Bangla Editor Akhlakul Ambia, Ajker Darpan Editor SM Nure Alam Siddique, Lakho Kantho Editor Farid Bangalee and Bangladesh Samachar Editor Dr Asaduzzaman.

Signatories include Prothom Kotha Editor Kishor Aditya, South Asian Times Editor Deepak Kumar Acharjee, Ajker Sangbad Editor Abu Sayeed, Darpan Protidin Editor Atiqur Rahman Chowdhury, Alor Barta Editor Rafiqul Islam, Daily Evening News Editor Md Selim, Agrasor Editor Mostafa Hossain Chowdhury, Bartoman Acting Editor Nazmul Haque Sarker, Ganamukti Editor Shahdat Hossain Shahin, Protidiner Sangbad Editor Saidul Islam, Daily Citizen Times Editor Nazmul Alam Toufiq, Country Today Editor Hemayet Hossain and Mukhapatra Editor Sheikh Jamal.