Protest held at DU over harassment of Asif Nazrul

Current and former students of Dhaka University’s Law Department held a demonstration against the harassment of Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul by Awami League leaders and activists at Geneva Airport in Switzerland.

The protest took place on the opposite side of the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday.

The demonstrators demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and accountability from the Bangladesh Ambassador to Switzerland. They called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice under the interim government, UNB reports. 

Shahjahan Saju, a former International Court judge and Dhaka University Law Department alumnus, condemned the harassment, calling it "highly shameful and repulsive."

He questioned how the Swiss embassy in Bangladesh would have reacted if a similar incident occurred with a Swiss citizen in Bangladesh, holding the Bangladesh embassy in Switzerland responsible. Saju also raised concerns over Dr. Nazrul’s unaccompanied travel and lack of proper protocol, suggesting the incident might have been premeditated.

Professor Dr Mohammad Ekramul Haq, Dean of Dhaka University's Law Department, described the incident as a violation of national, international law, and diplomacy, urging the government to ensure a fair investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol stated that the actions of those who obstructed Dr. Nazrul and harassed him were criminal offenses under both Bangladeshi and international law.

He called on the interim government to send the incident video to the Swiss authorities and demand an explanation for the mistreatment of a Bangladeshi diplomat.