Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus has expressed his strong disapproval of defendants being made to stand inside an iron cage during court hearings, calling it deeply humiliating.
"Today, we were all inside the cage throughout the hearing. Although I was told I could stay outside, I chose to stand with everyone else. The entire time, we were in the cage. I have raised this question before and I am raising it again for everyone. Is this just?" said Dr Yunus while talking to reporters in the premises of Dhaka's Special Judge's Court-4 on Wednesday (12 June).
Dr Yunus continued to say, "As far as I know, until a defendant is proven guilty, they are considered innocent. For an innocent citizen to have to stand inside an iron cage during a court hearing is deeply humiliating. I find it to be an extremely disgraceful act.
"This should not be applicable to anyone, not just in my case."
He urged everyone to raise their voices against this practice, calling for its review. "In a civilized country, why should such a thing happen? Why should a citizen have to stand inside a cage like an animal during a court hearing, especially when the trial hasn't even started and there's no chance of being proven guilty yet? I am questioning why an innocent citizen has to be in the cage."
Dr Yunus further called on legal experts and those involved in the judicial system to review this practice. "See if it's necessary to maintain this practice, or if we can be included in the list of civilised countries where such things do not happen."
He also mentioned that he is experiencing significant harassment.
