Human rights activist and lawyer Shahdeen Malik expressed his concern that the promulgation of the Ordinance, indemnifying the actions of the joint forces during the anti-crime drive, might lower the country's standing in the eyes of the international community.

"Bangladesh is a signatory to the 'Convention against Tortures' and also a party to the International Criminal Court. These convention and court uphold the spirit of justice. So we've to be very careful so that our international obligations are not overridden by the Ordinance," said Malik.

Commenting on the 'Joint Drive Indemnity Ordinance, 2003' promulgated on January 9, he said no victim of 'Operation Clean Heart' would be able to enjoy the right to seek justice as long as the Ordinance remains in force.

"If an aggrieved person now goes to a police station to file a case regarding custodial death or any other excesses and he is not allowed to do so because of the new Ordinance, he can go to the High Court and challenge the Ordinance itself," Malik added.