Editorial
SQ Chy verdict
Justice at last
THE International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday sentenced Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, a lawmaker and member of opposition BNP's standing committee, to death for his crimes against humanity during the War of Independence in 1971.
The verdict reflects the overall sentiment of the people in that justice that was long overdue has finally been done. It is a step forward in holding to account those who collaborated with Pakistan army and played a sinister role during the war. Worse still, the convict in question showed no remorse for the dreadful crimes he had committed.
So we look at the verdict not as an expression of vengeance, nor as an agenda of any particular party, but of Bangladesh as a whole.
As a kingpin of anti-liberation forces in Chittagong, the Fazlul Quader-Salahuddin father and son duo was notorious for their role in the liberation war.
We lend our moral support to the verdict. The legal process has not yet been exhausted as appeal remains, but at this stage we look upon it as a vindication of the moral justice against those who stood against the nation's struggle for freedom.
We cannot but note that lawmaker and BNP leader Khandker Mahbub Hossain told the press after the verdict that once his party takes power those involved in, what he said, this 'farcical trial,' would be made to face trial.
BNP has been ambivalent towards the war crimes trial. But instead of pointing out flaws, if any, and coming up with suggestions to perfect the process of trial, one of its leaders is intimidating the judges and questioning the trial itself! This is simply unacceptable and reprehensible.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments