Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today dismissed the idea that the advisers of the interim government require a “safe exit”, saying instead that it is the people who need a way out of the “destructive state structure” created by the previous regime.

“As you know, there is much talk these days about a ‘safe exit’. But we, the advisers, are absolutely certain that none of us require any such exit,” he said while addressing a national consultation on the draft National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.

He said the country needs a safe exit from years of “misrule, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and looting of public funds,” adding that such practices had eroded democracy and human rights.

Referring to judicial independence, Asif said that despite constitutional provisions, judges have long been appointed based on political influence rather than merit. 
“We have even had Chief Justices who violated human rights and undermined democracy,” he added.

He said that while some progress has been made in institutional reform, many who contributed to rights violations still remain in the judiciary. 

“We may be passing good laws, but enacting good laws alone does not mean the entire country will be transformed,” he said.

Asif said that effective institution-building is key to safeguarding human rights and called for strengthening the High Court, Parliamentary Committee, and Human Rights Commission.

The consultation was attended by several advisers, diplomats, and representatives from the UNDP, civil society, and academia.

MN/