1971 Crimes Against Humanity

Trial to end culture of impunity

Says law minister

21 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The government will hold the trial of perpetrators of 1971 crimes against humanity to put an end to the culture of impunity and heal the wound of the nation, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said yesterday. The Bangalee nation has been carrying the stigma of crimes against humanity and war crimes for 39 years, he said, adding that the rule of law never permits impunity in any civilized country of the world. The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on 'International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973: Crimes against Humanity' organised by the Democratic Lawyers Association of Bangladesh (DLAB) at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium. Shafique Ahmed said international standards will be maintained and all relevant legal procedures will be followed during the trial, so that no question can be raised about the fairness, transparency and neutrality of the trial. The government has already started the process for the trial, he said, adding that the culprits must be put on trial to ensure justice for the victims. DLAB President M Azizul Haq presided over the roundtable addressed by Cecilia Wikstrom, member of the European Parliament, William Sloan, president of Canadian Branch of Jurist Association of America, BB Dutta, former speaker of Indian Lok Sabha, BB Chowdhury, president of International Forum for Secular Bangladesh, Dr Mansur Khan, a Bangladeshi expatriate in the USA, former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru MP, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Awami League presidium member Yusuf Hossain Humayun and DLAB General Secretary Sheikh Akhtarul Islam. The foreign participants expressed solidarity with the government in its efforts to hold a fair and neutral trial.