Incidents of Rape in 1971
Collecting evidence tough
Say investigators
Investigators of International Crimes Tribunal are facing hurdles in collecting evidences of rape offences committed during the liberation war in 1971, as the victims feel uncomfortable to expose.
“They [rape victims] do not willingly come up with the specific allegation of rape, but talk about other affairs,” said Muhammad Abdul Hannan Khan, an investigator of the tribunal.
Giving example, Khan said sister of an investigator of the tribunal, who had fallen victim to rape during the war also denied to speak before the tribunal saying their family will be spoiled if they do so.
As the crimes like rape had occurred 40 years back and many of the victims are now living in the society, the victims should tell their stories in front of cameras so that prosecutors can place those before the tribunal, he said.
Khan was addressing a workshop tiled “Repressed Women and International Crimes Tribunal” organised by the Liberation War Museum at Cirdap auditorium in the city yesterday.
Making a slide-show presentation, Laurel E Fletcher, a professor of Yale University in USA, said rape is recognised as crime against humanity by the international laws.
He said evidence collection of rapes during the liberation war of Bangladesh can be a tough task but not impossible.
The legal expert said trial of rape and other forms of sexual harassment can be delivered in the line of other crimes committed during the war.
She said Bangladesh should adopt special measures for the safety of victims who will speak to the investigators of the tribunal.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, the chief guest, said there will be no shortage of evidences to probe crimes occurred during the war, as the investigators will receive them from several government and non-government sources.
LWM Trustee Mofidul Hoque moderated the workshop attended by several prosecutors of the tribunal, former diplomats, and representatives from different organisations.
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