Bangladesh sets up 1971 war crimes tribunal

[sparklingway]

Bangladesh sets up 1971 war crimes tribunal
By Mark Dummett
BBC News, Dhaka

The Bangladeshi government has set up a tribunal to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes during the country's war of independence in 1971.

The government says it will put on trial those Bangladeshis who at the time collaborated with Pakistan.

Forces from Pakistan are accused of killing many civilians.

In its doomed bid to suppress independence 39 years ago, Pakistan's army unleashed terror against those suspected of supporting secession.

Many were killed and millions fled the country.

But the army was not acting alone.

It was helped by many locals, including members of the religious Jamaat-e-Islami party.

They formed militia which allegedly helped identify victims and also took part in the killings.

Their leaders were absolved after the war and are now prominent opposition figures.

The government wants to put them on trial, but they claim they are innocent and that this is a political move.

Bangladeshis perform a street theatre on "war criminals" to mark the country’s Independence Day, in Saver, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, March 26, 2010
War crimes trials featured in Dhaka street theatre this month

Source : BBC News

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Does not look good for Jamaati elements. IMO "allegedly" is not the right word as the Razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams were most definitely involved.

 

[idune]

And first victim of Awami farcical tribunal is 11 years old boy.

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Thakurgaon Jamaat chief 'under watch'

Sun, Mar 28th, 2010 10:25 pm BdST

Thakurgaon, Mar 28 (bdnews24.com) – Thakurgaon district Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Mawlana Abdul Hakim is being kept under watch, after his name was found to be on a list of alleged war criminals, police said on Sunday.

But questions are being raised as he was reportedly only 11 years old in 1971.
According to various reports, Hakim is on the list of 36 war criminals in Thakurgaon.

"He is being kept under watch as his name came up in war criminal lists of various investigation organisations and news media," Thakurgaon police super BM Harun-ur-Rashid said.

"Hakim's house has not been surrounded; police have been deployed for his own security. He can go outside if he wants to", the police super said.

Meanwhile, Baliadangi upazila chairman and Awami League general secretary Probir Kumar Roy said that he had known Hakim for a long time as they were both from the village of Ziabari.

"He was only 11 years old, a student of class six at Kalmegh Madrasa in 1971," the local AL leader said.

Hakim also issued a statement to journalists with a copy of his national ID. He said there was no chance of him being a war criminal as he was only 11 then.

He said he became involved with Jamaat-e-Islami in 1985.

His name was included in the 'war criminals list' to harass him politically, Hakim said in his statement.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/bangla...ime-accuse-11-years-old-boy-war-criminal.html

 

[Al-zakir]

'War crime' settled issue: Mujahid


Fri, Apr 2nd, 2010 8:44 pm BdST


Dinajpur, Apr 2 (bdnews24.com) — Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid on Friday said the issue of war crimes had been settled a long time ago.

Jamaat assistant secretary general ATM Azharul Islam threatened to paralyse the entire country if one more party leader were arrested or harassed.

Addressing a conference of the party's majlish-e-sura of eight northern districts in Dinajpur, he said: "War crime is a settled issue, as Shiekh Mujibur Rahman had solved it on April 9 in 1974."

On that day, Bangladesh's founding president sent a number of Pakistani army personnel, who were alleged to have committed wear crimes, back to that country after an investigation.

Mujahid said: "There is no precedence in the world of charging non-military persons with war crimes and trying them."

His comment came against the backdrop of government's preparation for trial of war crimes perpetrated during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

The current top leadership of the fundamentalist Jamaat had allegedly collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces during the war.

Mujahid said: "Many contestants in the last general elections would have lost miserably had the Awami League announced that it would try Jamaat leaders for war crimes."

He said they supported the Awami League during the movement to topple military dictator Gen. Ershad.

"Now we've become their enemy as we're with the BNP."

He said either Awami League has failed to run the state affairs or do not have the "state-running remote control" in their hands.

Mujahid said Awami League is scared of Jamaat-e Islami. "That's why they've imposed section 144 at the venue of our conference."

Because of the imposition of section 144, Jamat was forced to hold the conference at its party office in the district town instead of the two scheduled venues at Chauliapatti roundabout and Pubic Administration Institute.

Police said they had to do it in order to prevent a clash as the local Muktijoddha Sangsad also convened a meeting there at the same time.

He challenged the government saying: "Withdraw the section 144 and then see who can hold the rally."

Jamaat assistant secretary general ATM Azharul Islam said Awami League is talking about pursuing democracy, upholding human rights and making Bangladesh a digital nation, but they are violating democracy, human rights and Constitution by obstructing holding of meeting by a Election Commission-enlisted politicalparty.

"The country will be paralyzed through agitation programmes if the government arrests any more leader of our party," he warned.


REST HOUSE VANDALISED
A rest house in Dinajpur, where a Mujahid was scheduled to stay, was vandalised by a group of youths.

The rest house of a blood transfusion centre named after Tayeba Majumder, mother of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Ahsan Ali, superintendent of the centre, told bdnews24com that about 20-22 youths riding motorcycles entered the compounds at around noon chanting "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu".

They threw stones indiscriminately, damaging its widows and glass doors, and left the scene in 10 minutes, he said.

Asked about the reason for the attack, he said the rest house of the centre was booked for Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid, who was visiting Dinajpur.

"That might be the cause. But he did not stay here."

Ahsan said 2/3 Jamaat men stayed at the rest house at night and left at around 10am, well before the attack.

'War crime' settled issue: Mujahid | Politics | bdnews24.com

 

[Al-zakir]

BNP wary of 'politicised' war crimes trials


Fri, Apr 2nd, 2010 5:40 pm BdST

Dial 2324 from your mobile for latest news
Dhaka, Apr 2 (bdnews24.com) – The main opposition BNP on Friday voiced their scepticism over the government's real intention about trying suspected war criminals.

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain expressed his party's suspicion at a press conference at its Paltan office on Friday.

The briefing was held to announce the party's decisions taken at Thursday's national standing committee meeting headed by chairperson Khaleda Zia.

"The government is moving away from the war crimes trial and talking about holding trials for crimes against humanity," he said.

"It is possible to judge crimes such as murder, looting, arson, rape and abduction under the current penal code. There is no need to form a special court, tribunal or investigation agency for that," he added.

However, like the war crimes trials, BNP has no objection regarding trials for crimes against humanity if they are held properly, said the veteran BNP leader.

At the same time, he accused that the government of trying to use the 'crimes against humanity' trials for subduing opposition members instead of fulfilling its real purpose.

He commented on the investigative agency for the special tribunal, saying, "The appointments for investigation officers and lawyers include members of a certain party. They will try to implicate members of the opposition as offenders. So fairness cannot be expected of them."

The veteran lawyer insisted that the trial for crimes against humanity can be held, according to the penal code, saying, "Bringing new amendments to the law will itself be unacceptable legally."

He also pointed out that the Supreme Court gave this opinion for the BDR trials.

Delwar firmly said, "No one opposes proper trials of war criminals. It was always said that the trials should be held transparently and without politicisation."

He expressed his anxiety by saying, "People want to know whether the government actually wants the war crimes or the crimes against humanity trials, or whether they are using it as a ploy to divert peoples' attention from the current crisis. The government intends to eradicate the opposition under cover of the crimes against humanity trials."

Delwar criticised the conflicting speeches over the past one and half years by prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet members regarding the trials and the publication of the war criminals list by ministers.

But the law minister and a number of his colleagues are saying that the government has no lists and that the investigative agency will draw up a list, he said, adding "people are getting confused over this and are becoming suspicious of the government's real intention", the BNP leader said.

Standing committee member Sarwari Rahman, office secretary Rezvi Ahmed and others attended the press meet.

BNP wary of 'politicised' war crimes trials | Politics | bdnews24.com

 

[TopCat]

War crimes fact finders make probe easy

War Crimes Fact Finding Committee (WCFFC), a research organisation, will hand over documented evidence today to the investigation agency to assist it in proving allegations of war crimes in 1971.

WCFFC convener Dr MA Hasan said the documents include 18 books, names and addresses of 1,775 alleged war criminals and detailed accounts of crimes including murders.

A sketch map of mass killing grounds in Dhaka, forensic exhibits including bones, earrings and parts of dresses of victims will also be handed over, he added.

In addition, WCFFC gathered information on about 500 war criminals with detailed accounts of their crimes including precise locations and dates of occurrence.

Verbal statements of family members, names of victims' neighbours and eyewitnesses will also be submitted to the investigation agency, Dr Hasan said.
He said they would give a copy of a documentary film titled 'Al-Badr' portraying activities of Al-Badr, one of the auxiliary forces of Pakistani occupation army.

He said the WCFFC would also give some books and legal documents to the chairman of International Crimes Tribunal and chief prosecutor.

The investigation agency on March 30 visited the Liberation War Museum at the city's Segunbagicha and collected 10 books, booklets and two CDs on crimes against humanity committed during the liberation war in 1971.

After obtaining evidence of crimes against individuals the seven-member investigation agency will file a case with the International Crime Tribunal and then it will go for further field level investigation.

The International Crimes Tribunal Act provides investigation officers with huge authority to enquire into the crimes.

War crimes fact finders make probe easy

 

[Pralay_Nath_ForYou]

Long Time Due!!

 

[Kinetic]

It took BD 39 years to take decision to punishment one of the most horrible crime in the history of mankind! BTW great job. People will be happy to see those Rajakars are punished.

Why BNP is worried? Because all the war crime criminals are in their party or Jamats.

 

[idune]

Why BNP is worried?

When Awami league using "rajakar" against anyone and everyone who opposing Awami autocratic rule, looting and terror, everyone including a responsible opposition is expected to raise question on Awami motive and challenge activities. Awami league even accused a bank MD who did not listen to minister dictate as "rajakar", 11 year boy was accused as rajakar. We know what you you indians are upto. You will try to fund and orchestrate issue in Bangladesh that divide opinion so india can maximize its agenda.

The New Nation - Internet Edition

What indian and Bangladeshis should ask why india made simla agreement which very much setteled the war crime issue????

 

[idune]

Here is identity of all judge jury and executioner in "war crime tribunal", all are Awami activist to the core to implement Awami, a fascist party, agenda than any real justice.

Mohammed Nizamul Haque Judge - Chairman of the tribunal
Active Awami League layers association activities and was secretary of Awami lawyers association in 2006. Hasina govt during 1996-2001 gave controversial appointment to 19 judges in High Court and Nizamul Haque was one of them.

ATM Fazlay Kabir Judge
Co judge in controversial ruling on 5th amendment to nullify Islam as state region.

A.K.M Zahir Ahmed - Judge, former district court Judge)
Very loyal Awami League lawyers association activist

Golam Arif Tipu - Chief prosecutor
He was Awami league candidate in Rajsahi lawyers association election. This former PP of Rajsahi was one of most active member of Ghatok dalal committee advocated street justice for war crimes and gave death penalty to few in mock street justice. Kader Siddiki one of Awami League approved freedom fighter criticized Tipu as a “calf” who is incapable of his duty.


Rest of lawyers panel and investigative body are all associated with Awami League and its politics. Here is the link for rest Awami activists identity.

কেমন হল ট্রাইব্যুনাল গঠন? :: এ্যাডভোকেট নয়ন &#

 

[TopCat]

Pakistan will not interfere in the Bangladesh government’s move to try the war criminals of 1971, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said Tuesday.


Islamabad will not launch any campaign against the initiative to hold the trial of those committed crimes during the Liberation War, the law minister said quoting Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka as saying.


“Pakistan has changed its position about holding the trial of the war criminals,” Shafique told reporters after a meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ashraf Qureshi at his secretariat office in the afternoon.


Emerging from the meeting, the Pakistan envoy also told the newsmen that holding trial of the war criminals is an “internal affair of Bangladesh.”


“Bangladesh is a sovereign country. Pakistan believes in its sovereignty. So, it will not interfere into these internal affairs of Bangladesh,” Qureshi said.

The law minister said there is no confusion over holding the trial of the war crimes and the crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of the country.


The trial will be held under the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, which covers the trial of both offences including crimes against humanity and peace, genocide, looting and arson.


The government has not changed its stance about holding the trial of the war criminals, the minister added
Pakistan won't interfere in war trial: Shafique

 

[Al-zakir]

^^^^
Good move by Pakistan. It's not pak responsibility anymore to babysit mindless bd's. Lets go for full blown civil war as if there are no other issues to tackle in super rich bd.

Real issues of 2010 shold be the only agenda of present government instead of some thing that happend in 1971.

A Government in Turmoil! A Country in Meltdown!

Monday April 05 2010 23:26:26 PM BDT

By Arif Ahmed
We are a country at the brink of meltdown – literally. The power crisis has now reached levels were fertilizer plants have closed, businesses are collapsing, farmers are losing crops and life in Bangladesh is becoming unbearable. We are now reading that thousands of people went out on demonstrations and attacked the upazila office of the West Zone Power Distribution Company at Bhanga on Saturday afternoon and Palli Bidyut Samiti office at Alfadanga on Friday night demanding power supply. SM Kobad Hossen, 50, a resident of Alfadanga, said they had received power hardly for two hours a day for a few days! Is this right Prime Minister! This is the start of more demonstrations to come!

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday promised to ensure electricity for all within 2020. Referring to the election manifesto of Awami League she said the government is working with a target of increasing power generation by 7000 MWs by the year 2013 and by 20,000 MWs by 2021. Under this programme, agreements have been signed for producing electricity from rental power stations at private initiatives at the first phase and for generating 1,000 MWs power at public sector. "Construction of these power stations is going on at a faster pace," she added.

Can we afford to wait for 2020! No. Sure the Government is hiring power stations to meet power demand, but whatever happened to the building of power stations under a public / private development initiative – the reality is that no private enterprise is going to invest significant sums in building power stations when there is no certainty as to as power will be generated!

What is also missing from the political rhetoric is the means of feeding these rental power stations – we are running short of gas and the current country coal production is nothing short of an embarrassment to a Government that has been in power for well over a year. For a year now we have heard nothing but political words!

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said measures were taken to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar to resolve this crisis. She said further "We are also considering with importance diversification of energy." That the present government is actively considering installing nuclear power plants to meet the increasing demand of power. In this regard, a team will be visiting Russia soon.

Does the Prime Minster realise the time frames for getting a nuclear power plant up and running and the costs involved! Does the Prime Minster understand that businesses and farmers cannot afford to install solar heating power systems! Does the Prime Minster realise that other countries are suffering from power shortages and so expecting to rely on the importation of overseas produced power is not a solution.

We are now a country that is on the verge of civil war with a Government that is unable or unwilling to act. Bangladesh is sitting on masses of coal reserves – enough to meet the countries power needs for many decades, by which time the energy world will be a different place (and Bangladesh will be a different place). Asia Energy is ready to mine Phulbari and has completed all preparation work. Yes, there will be local inconvenience, but even the people of Phulbari would accept that we must all work for the greater good of our nation. It is now a matter of working with the people of Phulbari to relocate people fairly and humanely.

The Finance Minister's realistic conclusion to go for open-pit coal mining published last week was seen by many to be a break through of common sense! We breathed a sigh of relief that our plight for energy was over. Asia Energy's proposal can no longer be ignored and must be put to the top of the political agenda.

Please Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, come live in the real Bangladesh world were business are fighting for survival, farmers are losing crops and your Bangladeshi people are melting in the heat of the day. Is this a country that can encourage international business investment? Bangladesh is not a country welcoming foreign investors.

The time has now come for the Government to move forward on the mining of coal at Phulbari in the most efficient manner or accept defeat as a political party that can lead the country, and let others with more ambition for Bangladesh and its people govern the country.

Prime Minister, the Bangladeshi people are speaking. They want power and they want power now. Finalise the coal policy and start mining Phulbari. This is the key solution to our countries power crisis and the means for you to restore faith in your Government.

-------------
Arif Ahmed
E Mail : arif.ahmed@gmail.com

http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=312248

 

[Saleem]

Like I said earlier also try and punish the east pakistanis and Indian personnel who killed civilians in their terror campaign in East Pakistan. Justice needs to be all round.

 

[Al-zakir]

Like I said earlier also try and punish the east pakistanis and Indian personnel who killed civilians in their terror campaign in East Pakistan. Justice needs to be all round.

This whole episode being stage to demise opposition though It will not be walk in the park for awami munafiq.

 

[ejaz007]

There is already a thread on this topic here http://www.defence.pk/forums/bangla...gladesh-sets-up-1971-war-crimes-tribunal.html Why open another one?

Mods please merge the two threads.

 

[ejaz007]

Pakistan has no objection to war crime trials in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Islamabad has not made any formal statement about the trial of war criminals in Bangladesh, Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Qureshi said on Tuesday. “It is guess work of the media, which reports that Pakistan is opposed to the trial,” he said. “The issue of trial of alleged Pakistani war criminals had been settled through the Simla agreement,” he said. “We have no concern about the Bangladesh government’s initiative to try the war criminals living in Bangladesh,” the high commissioner said while talking to the media after a meeting with Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed at his office in Dhaka. The law minister said Qureshi made it clear that Pakistan will not interfere in the trial of those who committed crimes against humanity. app

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan