US envoy on war crimes happy over trial process
US President Barack Obama, second left, and members of his national security team including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defence Robert Gates receive an update on the mission against bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House on Sunday. A classified document in front of Clinton was blurred before the photo was released. More photos on page 19. Photo: AFP/White House
Stephen J Rapp, US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, yesterday said he is impressed with the work the investigators and prosecutors of the International Crimes Tribunal is doing to find evidence for the war crimes trial. “What we want to see here [in Bangladesh] is a process that could be a model for other countries,” he said. “I met the investigators and prosecution staff, and am pleased with the hard work they are doing to develop evidence that proves these crimes. I am impressed with the work they are doing,” he added. The envoy made the remark at a press conference on the concluding day of his three-day visit to the country. Rapp arrived in Dhaka on Sunday at the invitation of the government to share his experience and discuss how the US government may assist Bangladesh to hold trial successfully. This was his second visit to the country within three months. During his last visit in this January, Rapp suggested amendments to the rules regarding pre-charge detention, victims' protection, investigation into the allegations, prosecution strategy and public information. “There has not yet been following up to the suggestions,” he said at the briefing yesterday, “I understand these things need to be carefully considered.” He said the amendment to the rules could be made by the tribunal judges with the stroke of a pen and would not require going to the parliament. Once these issues are taken cared of, Rapp hoped that it would be possible for the US government to provide training to the investigators, judges and prosecution staff if requested by Bangladesh. “Before that happens I'll have to go back and consult with the Congress,” he said. Asked about pre-charge detention, Rapp said there are instances where accused are detained during the pre-charge and pre-trial period. The accused could be detained on informal charges before bring formal charges, he said. During his visit, he held meetings with the law minister, foreign minister, the judges, the chief prosecutor and his staff, representatives of the defence and political oppositions. He lauded Bangladesh for undertaking a process of achieving justice after 40 years since the atrocities of 1971 [War of Liberation]. “And while the tribunal faces many challenges, it has the opportunity to accomplish great ends as long as the process is independent and fair,” he said.
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