War crimes trial and UN
It was with some amusement that I read the Jamaat's "willingness" to "admit and apologise" for the "party's stance" in 1971; but NOT an apology for the war crimes committed in 1971 by Jamaat leaders and their cohorts. And that Jamaat is ready to accept "the verdict of any trial conducted and supervised by the United Nations"!
Let me please point out to both the UN and those in Bangladesh who feel the UN needs to be involved in any war crimes trial to be held in Bangladesh, that the trial of the war criminals that is being demanded by the public in Bangladesh, is for the trial of Bangladeshi citizens, to be held on Bangladeshi soil, for crimes committed against the people of Bangladesh. What role does the UN have to play in that trial, if I may be audacious enough to enquire? When we demand the extradition of the Pakistani military officers involved in war crimes in our country, (a list of 195 such officers already exists, I would like to remind the UN) then we might approach the UN for assistance. Until then, the UN would be wise to keep out of any legal matters in this country. And the Jamaat would be wise to stop whining for the UN to save its skin.
However, if the UN is determined to be of assistance in any shape or form to Bangladesh, they might first consider declaring the horrendous events of 1971 in Bangladesh by the Pakistani military, a genocide. It is long overdue.
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