Dhaka, August 27: The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), representing the country’s largest minority group, has strongly condemned the recent appointment of 25 new High Court judges, citing the complete absence of minority representation.
In a statement issued on August 26, the council expressed outrage that none of the new appointees belong to the religious or ethnic minority communities, who make up around 10 percent of Bangladesh’s population.
“Despite the fact that each of these fields has sufficient qualified individuals from religious and ethnic minority communities, it is deeply regrettable that not a single person from the minority population is included among the 25 newly appointed judges,” the council said.
The statement was signed by BHBCUC President Professor Nirmal Chandra Bhowmik, leaders Ushatan Talukder and Nirmal Rosario, and Acting General Secretary Monindra Kumar Nath.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, President Md Shahabuddin made the appointments in consultation with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed under Article 95(1) and Article 98 of the Constitution. Of the 25 appointees, nine are judicial officers, nine are lawyers, and seven are law officers.
The judges, appointed for an initial two-year term, were sworn in on Tuesday by Chief Justice Ahmed in a ceremony at the Supreme Court, conducted by Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, registrar (justice) of the High Court Division, according to BDnews.
The BHBCUC has called the move discriminatory and urged the government to ensure inclusive representation in the judiciary.