Editor's Pick

Trial of war criminals

13 December 2007, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
M Ferdaus Mashud, London, UK

In relation to Mr Moinul Chowdhury's analysis of my previous letter, I feel it is necessary to say a few things. Firstly, I would say that Mr. Chowdhury is not listening to the Law Adviser. He has given all the answers Mr Chowdhury requires. I would also suggest the CTG to take action against the previous ruling parties for not taking any action against the anti-liberation forces. I totally agree with the Law Adviser in saying that no individual has a right to file a case of treason against any citizen of Bangladesh. I still believe the caretaker government's top priority is to try those corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who made enormous wealth out of people's misery making my country nearly bankrupt. How a sensible and patriotic person can ignore the fact that the country has been looted by a few people in the name of politics. I love my country more than anybody else and I will go on about it because I feel I am robbed in a sense that I contribute to my country's economy too. The whole world is stunned to see the scale of corruption in Bangladesh. All in the name of politics. If politics sucks the blood of poor people of my beloved country instead of their betterment , I do not need that politics. If politicians only think about themselves amassing huge wealth through unfair means I do not need those politicians. If political parties politicise all the institutions of my country I do not need those political parties either. Finally, I would request all sensible and peace-loving citizens of Bangladesh to come forward with a view to rooting out corruption. It is such a debilitating disease in our country that we cannot move forward without eradicating it. The government is trying its best to unmask those corrupt enemies of the land but we should not be sitting down as idle spectators. We need to be proactive and eyes and ears of the law enforcing agencies. We, as a nation, deserve some respect in world stage rather than a part of the league table of the most corrupt countries in the world. Democracy and rule of law will remain a far cry unless and until we eradicate poverty as well as corruption.
***
Mr. Moinul Chowdhury is right in his assertion (Dec:7) that the anti-liberation forces have to be tried; and the necessary government permission as pointed out in the dailies on 7 December, that citizens have no right to bring sedition cases, needs to be given legal cover. Such razakars and anti-liberation activists were not tried possibly for Sheikh Mujib's misplaced magnanimity. Also those were troubled times; our country had to be reorganised from scratch; and there were more critical issues that needed priority. Subsequently, however, after the heinous murder of the father of the nation, there was a period of total instability as coup followed coup. I am sure the anti-liberation activists took full advantage of the prevailing circumstances which were confusing, to say the least! For this in my opinion the BNP has more to explain than the AL. President Zia allowed the ex-Razakars, murderers of the father of the nation, and all types of anti-liberation forces to be politically rehabilitated to strengthen his hold on politics! Shamefully, that is the true history of the birth of the BNP. Now all are clamouring for the CTG to do what they never did, when they were in power, because they used these ex-razakars to satisfy their personal greed and ambitions. It is shameful that subsequently even the AL also veered away from taking on the anti-liberation forces! They were more focussed on bringing Sheikh Mujib's killer to justice which was and is never the BNP's objective! One can only wonder why. I however believe that the trial of Sheikh Mujib's killers and razakars and identified and known anti-liberation activists must be started, if we want to leave a proper legacy for posterity! S.A. Mansoor On e-mail
***
I wasn't in the days of 1971. But reading the journals and books I have developed some ideas which I want to share. Today there is a debate on the war criminals and their trial. Let's see through it. See, human psychology is a complicated thing. Different people see things differently. The same matter can seem blasphemous to someone, and to someone it may seem right. While some people treat a way to be the only option, some may think there might be other ways left. I am trying to be reasonable, and thoughtful. I'm trying to think with an open mind. Some elderly people in the pre-liberation days may have thought that it was better if the country was not divided. Some supported this view explicitly, while some did so implicitly. At that time people had strong and opinionated and constructive discussion at the offices, houses, tea-stalls ...and where not despite the adverse political situation, and the topic was only the liberation war. But when the reasonable and patriots saw the brutality of the Pakistani army on the night of 25th March, their hearts were filled with hate and anger toward the Pakistanis and they changed their mind. But not all. Many actively disapproved the liberation war and became rajakars. They along with the Pakistanis started murdering the fellow Bangladeshis. They were betrayers, leaving the country and the countrymen apart, they associated themselves with the enemies. They did this for their own betterment, for security, to be trusted by the Pak Army, for a bright future if Pakistan had won at last.... The main thing is, "they wanted to be benefited". They're still trying to be benefited. Yes, there are war criminals not only in the Jamaat, but also in other political parties . Without their help and support the Jamaat couldn't have been so rich and powerful today. Today they disobey the motherland and openly claim that there was no war, there was no war criminal." If there was no war criminals, then who are you guys?" I ask. The most intolerable fact is that the war criminals never seemed to have been sorry for their shameful position in 1971, they never seem to repent. Instead of being apologetic, today the war criminals tend to dishonour the sovereignty of the country. War criminals, no matter who they are, should not be spared. Many of the war criminals are in good position today. Many have been ministers, MPs; they own luxurious houses and cars. They live better lives than many fellow Bangladeshis, better lives than many freedom fighters! In the name of forgiveness, we can't dishonour our great Liberation War. Cantara Wali Ruhi Dhaka
***
We had so many elected governments through elections, but no government could establish order in social life and the political arena. The outcome of the corrupt practices is the existing pitiful situation in the country. The caretaker government headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed is trying to bring back an orderly situation in the administration and judiciary and also public safety and social order in addition to leading the nation to the next general polls. The present government is not only trying to eliminate bad practices but also trying to punish those responsible for it. We are looking forward to a peaceful atmosphere in the country. Except those whose interest is being hurt by the activities of the present government, the people in general have confidence in the present government. But it cannot be denied that sometimes some advisers tend to ignore the public interest. The Law Adviser talked to journalists about the issue of bringing war criminals to justice and cited the limitations of the government, saying that these are complicated matters. He also questioned why the matter had not been settled in the last 36 years. It seems the CTG is reluctant to hold trial of the war criminals. Nur Miah, On e-mail

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