Bid to Make War Crimes Trial Questionable
Lobbyists spread confusion abroad, says law minister
The anti-liberation force and its collaborators appointed lobbyists abroad to spread confusion over the war crimes trial in the international arena, said Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday.
“They have set lobbyists in New York, London and Brussels. They are active to make the trial procedure questionable in the international arena,” he said.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion styled “Much expected trial of war crimes and all unexpected activities” organised by Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee in the city's WVA auditorium.
Talking about the role of the civil society members on the trial issue, he said, “They (civil society) are remaining silent on this issue for unknown reasons. They should raise their voice to press the demand for war crimes trial.”
On whether Jamaat leader Golam Azam will be brought under trial, he said, “I do not want to mention the name of any particular individual. It is a matter of the tribunal.”
In response to criticism of the government's sluggish approach to the trial, Shafique said the government only provides logistic support to the tribunal and it is the tribunals' matter on what procedure and how fast it would work.
Though the tribunal formed is a domestic one, the trial will be held under “customary law” of Internal Crimes (Tribunals) Act following some international conditions. So international standard will surely be maintained in the trial process, he said.
Addressing the function, noted academician Prof Muntassir Mamoon alleged that the government is yet to appoint skilled jurists in the tribunal.
“After seeing the documents collected by the tribunal, I think that it will be difficult for the tribunal to secure the expected result,” he said.
The nirmul committee Executive President Shahriar Kabir placed a 10-point demand to accelerate the trial and strengthen the tribunal.
The demands include appointment of more jurists, increasing their facilities and salary, setting up of a library and information technology cell in the tribunal, formulation of guidelines for those appointed in the tribunal and ensuring security for the tribunal officials and witnesses.
The nirmul committee President Justice Mohammad Ghulam Rabbani chaired the function where Ajoy Roy of Sampradayikata-Jangibad Birodhi Mancha also spoke.
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