Int'l Crimes Act allows self-defence to accused

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Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed said the International Crimes (Tribunals) Amendment Act has provisions allowing an accused self-defence and the right of appeal by a convict against the tribunal's verdict, reports UNB.
"Question cannot be raised against the International Crimes Tribunal which is set for trying the persons who committed crimes against humanity during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war," Shafique said, adding that foreign observers are free to witness the trial at the tribunal.
The minister was talking to newsmen at his ministry office Thursday.
About the High Court (HC) judgment upholding the notice asking BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to vacate her Cantonment house, Shafique said: "We believe in rule of law and nobody is above law."
About the parole of Khaleda's younger son Koko, he said one could not be on parole for years. It was, however, a matter of the Home Ministry.
About reprinting the Constitution following the Supreme Court (SC) verdict on the Fifth Amendment, Shafique said draft was being prepared and reprinting would start next week.
About religion-based political parties, he said if the Constitution of a religion-based party was contradictory to the country's Constitution, the supreme law of the Republic, the Election Commission might ask the party concerned to modify its Constitution or else cancel the registration of the party.