Trial of war criminals
Are we really going to have our stalled general election by the month of December 2008?
Our war of independence sector commanders and many VIPs are constantly demanding the trial of war criminals/collaborators under the present caretaker government of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed.
We wonder whether the general election or the trial of war criminals/ collaborators would be held first. Is it possible to hold the general election on the one hand and trial of war criminals/ collaborators on the other?
Would it not create chaos and confusion, law and order situation in the country with regard to candidature, selection and election of people who are interested in participating in the forthcoming general election 2008?
What system and procedures, legal aspects and time it would require to identify, accuse and prove and finally punish the war criminals/ collaborators?
Of course those who are demanding the trial of war criminals/ collaborators have to protect fundamental citizenship rights of the people of Bangladesh and also to ensure that there is no violation of human rights.
We are surprised why the sector commanders and many others did not initiate and pursue the trial of war criminals/collaborators under the former caretaker government of (i) Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed (ii) Justice Habibur Rahman (iii) Justice Latifur Rahman (iv) our present President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed who was the head of the caretaker government (Chief Adviser) for some time and also under the elected government of (v) former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and (vi) former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
We strongly feel that we should hold our scheduled general election in December 2008 without any complications, delay and wastage of time in the greater interest of the country.
We also feel that after the election the next government may decide and start the trial of the war criminals/collaborators.
All's well that ends well.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments