Quick trial of war criminals: JS adopts resolution

Signaling a major turning-point in Bangladesh’s history, Parliament yesterday unanimously adopted a resolution on taking initiative quickly to put to trial identified war criminals of 1971.

Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury from Sylhet-3 constituency moved the resolution which was passed by voice vote in the absence of opposition.

Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, some senior Awami League leaders and some other treasury-bench MPs took part in discussion on the motion.

Taking part in the discussion, the Prime Minister said unequivocally that her government must try the war criminals as it has become a national demand.

“I want to state it clearly we must try the war criminals. I support the resolution,” said Sheikh Hasina, whose party and allies have an overwhelming majority in the newly elected parliament.

She informed the House that her government already has taken various initiatives to bring those who committed war crime during the 1971 Liberation War to book as the war-crime trial is one of her party Awami League’s election pledges.

“Already I have sought cooperation of the United Nations and talked to the key persons behind the trial of war criminals in other countries. We will arrange having expert opinions on this issue,” she said.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (retd) ABM Tajul Islam said the people of Bangladesh have already started trying war criminals. In last parliaments there were 17 “war criminals”, but the number reduced to a great extent this year.

Detailing government’s initiatives already taken in this regard he said nothing should be done so that the process of trying the war criminals becomes questionable.

He said the trial would be held in a transparent and credible manner.

The minister suggested the House that there should not be any hurry in trying the war criminals.

He also pleaded that since the present government has already taken various measures regarding trial of the war criminals, the resolution could be withdrawn.

But the MPs, including Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sengupta, pressed for passage of the resolution.

Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam pointed out that it is not the job of the Liberation War Ministry to address the issue rather it should the job of Law and Foreign Ministries.

All those MPs who took part in the discussion demanded trial of the war criminals through a special tribunal, saying that it has been now the demand of the nation and the government is pledge-bound to do it.

Source: UNB