No state should poke nose into trial of crime against humanity: Law Minister

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Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed has said that no state should interfare in the forthcoming trial of crimes committed against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971, as it is an internal affair of Bangladesh, reports UNB.
"International community has support for holding the trial," he said.
The minister was briefing journalists after the inaugural ceremony of an advocacy meeting on 'Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)', at Spectra Convention Centre in the city Saturday.
The advocacy meeting was organised by Odhikar, a rights watchdog, in association with Coalition for ICC and Switzerland embassy.
Barrister Shafique said International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 was made for trying the perpetrators involved in the crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation as the government believes in rule of law.
The Law Minister said the incumbent government also made a time befitting amendment to the act with a view to conducting the trial process as per international standard.
"No civilised country supports such crime against humanity," Barrister Shafique said, adding that different countries had already shown their willingness to provide documents and evidences for holding the trial properly.
He also urged for cooperation from the international community in this regard.
The Law Minister reiterated his earlier stand that the formation of the trial court, appointment of the prosecutors' panel and investigating cell with logistic supports will be announced before March 26, the Independence Day.
Earlier, at the inaugural function, the minister said the government had taken initiatives to ratify the 'Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)' as it believes in rule of law and establishment of human rights.
Presided over by Odhikar President Dr C Akbar, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Hasanul Huq Inu MP, Swiss Ambassador Urs Herren, and former secretary and diplomat Mohammad Zamir.