International Crimes Tribunal
Call to provide facilities to remove 'controversy'
(From right) Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Justice Syed Amirul Islam, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, Justice Ghulam Rabbani, Prof Ajoy Roy and Shahriar Kabir at a discussion of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee at WVA auditorium in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR
International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh should be provided with all necessary facilities so that it can work independently and avoid any sort of controversy about the trial of war crimes suspects, said some speakers at a discussion yesterday. They said controversy over government's influence on the tribunal would exist until all sorts of logistic and sufficient financial support are provided to the tribunal. Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee (forum for secular Bangladesh and trial of 1971 war criminals) organised the discussion to mark the publication of a book in the city's WVA auditorium. The book written by the committee's Executive President Shahriar Kabir focuses on war, war crimes and trial of war crimes in the history of civilisation. Discussants expressed concern over whether the trial would be complete within the tenure of the present government as the process could not begin formally since the beginning of the tribunal a year ago. Justice Syed Amirul Islam said not a single charge sheet was placed before the tribunal against the arrested war crimes suspects. In response to the concerns, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said, “There should not be any confusion about the trial of people who committed crimes against humanity during the war in 1971 and the trial process will formally start soon.” “Trial of war criminals is not a business of any other state as it is totally an internal matter of an independent country -- Bangladesh,” he stated, after saying that some people often opine that a few countries may oppose the trial. “International standard of the trial will surely be ensured and observers from abroad will be welcomed to watch the process,” he said. Shahriar said the present government should complete the trial of war criminals and reinstate the constitution of 1972 within its tenure as per the government's electoral pledges. Dr Turin Afroz, law secretary of the committee, said the book describes historical reasons and aspects of war, war crimes and trial of war criminals and would help researchers and law students in academic activities. Ghulam Arif Tipu, chief prosecutor of the prosecution team of the tribunal, said he was mesmerised by the way Shahriar described such a tough topic easily in the book and hoped it will help him. Attorney General Mahbub-e-Alam and President of Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minority Prof Ajoy Roy also spoke.
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