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| Bangladesh |
| Cut ties with war criminals |
| 2009-01-04 |
| Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) has urged BNP to sever relations with its ally 'war criminals' party Jamaat-e-Islami, and help bringing these criminals to trial. BNP's refusal to meet the demand for trial of war criminals was one of the main causes of its debacle in the December 29 parliamentary election, the forum said. "Sector Commanders Forum hopes that the leadership of BNP will now dissociate itself from Jamaat and assist the process of trying war criminals," SCF leader air vice marshal (retd) AK Khandker said in a written statement at a press conference at Liberation War Museum in the city. Leaders of the forum also demanded that the newly elected government (yet to be formed) start the trial process very soon. They also demanded that the coming government activate International War Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, set up chief prosecutor's office or constitute a commission in this regard, reactivate Collaborators Act repealed in December 1975 and formally seek help of the United Nations in trying the war criminals. The sector commanders pledged to provide necessary documents and proofs of war crimes in Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War. They also urged revival of the 1972 constitution. It is now clear that the whole nation wants trial of the war criminals because if they are not tried, then the independence and sovereignty of the country will be at stake, Khandker said. |
| Posted by:Fred |