Trial of war criminals to be completed by year end, hopes minister
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed Tuesday said, the government was proceeding with caution in staging the 1971 war criminals trial and expected the process to be completed by the yearend, reports BSS.
"We are proceeding with caution to ensure the trial to be held in a fair and transparent manner and it becomes acceptable nationally and internationally," Ahmed told a press briefing at his office here.
He added that the government also expected that the trial process would be completed by December this year.
The minister's comments came nearly three weeks after the government formally decided to constitute tribunals to try the 1971 war criminals under the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973 in line with the election manifesto of the ruling Awami League (AL).
The ninth parliament on its third sitting three months ago adopted the proposal for the trial of 1971 war criminals.
Replying to a question about the estimated number of war criminals, Ahmed said, the figure could be ascertained only after an investigation process. "It could be understood after the investigation, how many people will be accused or brought to justice".
He said, the government was working to appoint "competent and meritorious" investigators, prosecutors and form tribunal and ensure their logistic supports for holding the trial.
The minister said, the government wanted the investigators and prosecutors to work in a team for proper investigation into the allegations.
"We want the investigation to be carried out properly leaving no loopholes . . . the investigation work will be done by efficient people while the criminal law experts were being appointed as prosecutors," Ahmed said.
The number of prosecutors and investigators will also be determined soon. "We have been taking all the steps cautiously so that there cannot be any loophole in the trial process," the minister said.
The United Nations last month offered its support for the trial of "crimes against humanity" as sought earlier by the new government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with UNDP country representative in Dhaka saying the UN would offer all assistance to ensure the trials met international standards.
The London-based global rights watchdog Amnesty International appreciated the UN offer and named four of its war crime experts to assist government in carrying out the trial.
"The failure to seek truth and justice for crimes against humanity and other serious violation of human rights and humanitarian law in 1971 has encouraged the persistent nature of impunity in Bangladesh," Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan said in a statement carried by Bangladesh newspapers Tuesday.
"We are proceeding with caution to ensure the trial to be held in a fair and transparent manner and it becomes acceptable nationally and internationally," Ahmed told a press briefing at his office here.
He added that the government also expected that the trial process would be completed by December this year.
The minister's comments came nearly three weeks after the government formally decided to constitute tribunals to try the 1971 war criminals under the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973 in line with the election manifesto of the ruling Awami League (AL).
The ninth parliament on its third sitting three months ago adopted the proposal for the trial of 1971 war criminals.
Replying to a question about the estimated number of war criminals, Ahmed said, the figure could be ascertained only after an investigation process. "It could be understood after the investigation, how many people will be accused or brought to justice".
He said, the government was working to appoint "competent and meritorious" investigators, prosecutors and form tribunal and ensure their logistic supports for holding the trial.
The minister said, the government wanted the investigators and prosecutors to work in a team for proper investigation into the allegations.
"We want the investigation to be carried out properly leaving no loopholes . . . the investigation work will be done by efficient people while the criminal law experts were being appointed as prosecutors," Ahmed said.
The number of prosecutors and investigators will also be determined soon. "We have been taking all the steps cautiously so that there cannot be any loophole in the trial process," the minister said.
The United Nations last month offered its support for the trial of "crimes against humanity" as sought earlier by the new government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with UNDP country representative in Dhaka saying the UN would offer all assistance to ensure the trials met international standards.
The London-based global rights watchdog Amnesty International appreciated the UN offer and named four of its war crime experts to assist government in carrying out the trial.
"The failure to seek truth and justice for crimes against humanity and other serious violation of human rights and humanitarian law in 1971 has encouraged the persistent nature of impunity in Bangladesh," Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan said in a statement carried by Bangladesh newspapers Tuesday.