Fakhrul demands harshest punishment to Hasina

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of committing crimes against humanity through enforced disappearances and demanded harshest punishment to her, reports UNB.

He made the remarks while speaking at a human chain and photo exhibition event organised by 'Mayer Dak' at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Friday, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

He further said the interim government has completely failed to bring the incidents of enforced disappearances before the public and stop the cries of the victims' families.

"I expect the government to make every effort to reveal full information about the children who lost their fathers, the sisters who lost their brothers, and the mothers who lost their sons. Whoever may be responsible, no matter how powerful they are, nothing can be more dreadful than this crime against humanity," Fakhrul said.

He stated that everyone knows that enforced disappearance is a serious crime against humanity and punishable by death penalty.

"It has now been established that Hasina is responsible for these killings and disappearances. Her trial must take place in this country, and she should be given the harshest possible punishment," the BNP leader said.

He urged the families of the victims not to lose hope, saying people's movements never fail and never failed in the past either, as proven by last year's mass uprising.

Fakhrul said the young generation and even the children will one day see justice for the wrongs done to their fathers and brothers.

On behalf of his party, he reaffirmed that BNP has always stood by the victims, remains with them now, and will continue to stay with them until justice is finally ensured.

The BNP secretary general also thanked the UN Human Rights Commission for giving full cooperation in investigating the incidents of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh.

He, however, lamented that the interim government has failed to take the necessary steps to strengthen the commission on enforced disappearances and bring the perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice.

"The interim government has completely failed to place the disappearance commission before the public and hold hearings. They have also failed to ease the pains and stop the tears of mothers, brothers and other relatives of the victims. They must be held accountable," Fakhrul said.

He said their demand has always been that these incidents must be tried and assured that BNP will continue to stand by the children who lost their fathers.

He said BNP's demand has always been that these incidents must be brought to justice.

The BNP leader grew emotional while describing the sufferings of the victims' families, including the cries of the children for their missing fathers.