The recent letter on Dr Yunus penned by a dozen US senators to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again raise eyebrows and triggered discussions about the boundaries of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of a nation.
The senators on Monday (January 22) urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to end, what they said was, “the persistent harassment” of Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus.
This kind of letter advocating interference in judiciary prompts questions about the justification and acceptability of such meddling in the legal processes of a sovereign nation.
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The signatories of the letter include US Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and US Senators Todd Young, Tim Kaine, Dan Sullivan, Jeff Merkley, Jeanne Shaheen, Edward Markey, Sherrod Brown, Peter Welch, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ron Wyden, and Cory A Booker.
In a landmark ruling on January 1, the Labor Court-3 in Dhaka sentenced six months’ imprisonment to Prof Muhammad Yunus and three other top officials of Grameen Telecom in a labour law violations case. While reading out the verdict, the court said, “Dr Yunus is not tried as the Nobel-Winner, he is being tried as the chairman of Grameen Telecom. And allegations of violation of labor law have been proven against him.”
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Crafted Lie: Utilizing Nobel Fame as A Shield?
Professor Yunus has attempted many times to seek impunity and avoid labor law violation cases and other financial misappropriation by leveraging his global reputation and Nobel fame.
He has used his global friends and utilize global media to highlight his achievements and so-called ‘Noble-face’ while deftly avoiding grave accusations of exploiting thousands of poor Bangladeshi citizens in the name of poverty alleviation.
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Yunus has gathered support through international petitions, featuring endorsements from famous figures, creating the impression of global backing. This tactic diverts attention from labor law violations. Instead of addressing the charges directly, Yunus seeks endorsements to paint himself as a victim of politics.
By suggesting the government’s actions infringe on human rights, Yunus tries to discredit the government to gain global support. He successfully shifts the conversation from labor law violations to broader topics like democracy and human rights, blurring the line between his achievements and the serious allegations against him.
This time too, the recent letter seems to be an echo of what Professor Yunus has been saying over the year about the cases and allegations brought against him.
The letter claims that Professor Yunus has faced more than 150 “unsubstantiated cases” and some human rights organizations have noted “irregularities in proceedings against him”.
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How can the senators ensure Professor Yunus is innocent of the charges? If the allegations are “unsubstantiated,” they should present counter-evidence promptly. Any identified irregularities should be addressed in court to dismiss the lawsuits. Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly stated that Professor Yunus can hire lawyers globally for his defense, including top criminal defense attorneys if necessary.
If Professor Yunus’ friends question the recent verdict, they should note that Nobel laureates aren’t exempt from the law. This case isn’t unique, as other laureates have faced sentences. Despite the verdict, he was granted bail upon request.
“Based On Unsubstantiated Facts”: Bangladeshi Americans Denounce the Letter
On January 25, Forty US Citizens representing the Bangladeshi diaspora denounced the letter, terming it as defamatory and based on unsubstantiated facts.
They, under the banner of Congress of Bangladeshi Americans, said that the letter goes against the minimum etiquette of addressing a head of sovereign government, as the letter was started with no greetings but a ‘baseless accusation’.
“We are concerned that our nation’s lawmakers (American Senators) are attempting to intervene in a civil court matter and are not respecting the court of law but soliciting external influence to crush the court verdict,” they said adding that the letter appears to be ‘influenced by rage rather than logic’.
“We want to emphasize that Dr. Yunus‘s identity as Nobel laureate should not excuse him from violating labor law,” they said hoping that the senators will refrain from using their private relationships to hinder our amicable relationship between two friendly nations.
They requested to verify the facts of the allegations and if necessary, sent international experts to assess the legal proceeding and examining documents related to the case.
They also encourage the senators to withdraw their name from the letter, terming the later as defamatory and based on unsubstantiated facts.
Bangladesh’s Response to the Letter
The Bangladeshi government and intellectuals challenge the legitimacy of the senators’ letter. They argue that internal legal proceedings should proceed without external influence, particularly from foreign legislators. The government reaffirms its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin on January 24 said the letter sent by 12 US senators to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over the trial of Dr Muhammad Yunus is ‘unfortunate’.
“It is not appropriate to send such a letter to the prime minister as she does not belong to the judiciary. Dr Yunus was tried in an open court. There are scopes of appeal,” he told newsmen at his office.
The case involving Yunus underwent a transparent trial in court and if anyone has statements or reactions, they should utilize the appropriate channels to express them, he added.
– Attorney General AM Amin Uddin
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The attorney general believes that those from abroad discussing Yunus’s case may lack understanding of Bangladesh’s judicial system or could be influenced by others. None should make such comments or give such reactions without knowing the trial process of a particular country, he added.
While U.S. senators express concerns, foreign interference in independent judiciary challenges a nation’s sovereignty. The senators could have assisted Yunus with legal support or urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure justice. Their lack of understanding of Yunus’s actions with Grameen Telecom laborers is evident. Allowing the legal proceedings to unfold without external influence is vital for a fair trial.
The essence of any democracy lies in its independent legal system. Bangladesh, like any sovereign nation, upholds judiciary autonomy for fair justice. The senators’ letter goes against respecting a country’s legal procedures, conflicting with international relations principles of non-interference. It also challenges diplomatic norms.
To counter this, the government highlights ongoing legal reforms, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and the rule of law. Scrutinizing the senators’ claims and reinforcing national sovereignty is key in challenging their intervention. Bangladesh, like any sovereign state, has the right to manage internal affairs without undue external pressure. Emphasizing legal independence, non-interference, ongoing reforms, and national sovereignty principles can effectively counter the U.S. senators’ letter.