War Crimes Trial
No provision for foreign lawyers: Shafique
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said there was no scope for foreign lawyers to defend the accused of crimes against humanity before the International Crimes Tribunals as per relevant laws.
As per the Bangladesh Bar Council laws, only lawyers who are citizens of Bangladesh can practice law in the country, he said, adding that the council regulates the profession of the country's lawyers.
Shafique was talking to journalists after presiding over a meeting on Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 at CHT affairs ministry's conference room in Bangladesh Secretariat.
The journalists raised the issue against a backdrop of a recent statement made by a defence lawyer in the ICTs.
The lawyer, Tajul Islam, said they were planning to seek the council's permission in allowing foreign lawyers to defend their clients.
On July 23, 2011, the council had rejected an application seeking permission for three foreign lawyers to defend five Jamaat-e-Islami leaders detained in connection with war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
The lawyers were Steven Kay QC, Toby Cadman and John Cammegh.
Justifying the rejection, the council authorities said anyone not having an enrollment certificate, issued by the council, allowing lawyers to practice law in the country, cannot represent anyone in a case.
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