War Crimes Trial

Call to strengthen probe agency

10 April 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Expressing doubts about the success of the war crimes investigation agency, Forum for Secular Bangladesh (FSB) yesterday called on the government to strengthen it by inducting more competent and honest persons. It urged the government to appoint at least 25 lawyers and investigative officials to both the prosecution team and the investigation agency for their better performance. FSB leaders made the call at a discussion at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium in the city. The event was organised to mark the 39th anniversary of the proclamation of independence. "We are not satisfied with what the investigation agency has done so far to collect evidence, documents and other materials relating to war crimes," said Shahriar Kabir, acting president of FSB. "Such horrific and massive genocide, which occurred in Bangladesh, has not taken place elsewhere in the world since the Second World War. So it would be a huge task for the investigation agency. The government should realise it and increase the number of members both at the prosecution team and investigation agency," he added. Justice Gholam Rabbani said all success depends on how the investigation agency works. Verdict of the war crimes trial will depend on the evidence it will collect. Barrister Amir-Ul Islam said the government should rethink the process of trial of war criminals as it is a sensitive issue. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said all should get united to make the trial of war crimes a success. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu, Ambassador Wali-ur-Rahman, Workers Party leader Bimal Biswas and Prof MA Akash of Dhaka University also spoke.