PM criticises EU, AI

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has criticised and questioned the position of the West on human rights for their concern over the death sentence of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Matiur Rahman Nizami. She said it was important to try those who committed crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 to ensure the cause of human rights. The country’s first war crimes tribunal on Wednesday awarded Nizami death sentence for his wartime atrocities. The 71-year old Jamaat chief was found guilty in eight of the 16 charges – including spearheading the execution of intellectuals, mass killing, rape and loot – levelled against him. After that, the European Union (EU) and London-based rights group Amnesty International criticised the verdict and urged Bangladesh to commute the sentence. ‘Why would they be concerned about the human rights of those who violated the human rights of millions in the 1st place?’ the PM said while responding to a query of a journalist on Thursday. Questioning the EU’s position on human rights, the Prime Minister asked: ‘I would like to ask the European Union through you (journalists), where was their concern when Israelis killed pregnant woman and children in Gaza? Why didn’t they express their worry? Their concern would have made me happy,’ according to bdnews24.com.