Sector commanders for probe commission with int'l jurists
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War Criminals
Sector commanders for probe commission with int'l jurists
Sector Commanders' Forum, a platform of sector commanders of the Liberation War, yesterday demanded the government initiate trial of war criminals immediately forming an enquiry commission, with the participation of international jurists, and a tribunal under existing laws.
"We want the government to form a tribunal under International Crimes Act 1973 and Article 47 (3) of the constitution to try war criminals," said Sector Commanders' Forum Member Secretary Dr MA Hasan.
Hasan was briefing reporters at Rajshahi Parjatan Motel with four sector commanders led by deputy chief of Liberation War Forces and Sector Commanders' Forum Chairman Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandakar.
Sector Commanders' Forum leaders went to Rajshahi on the second leg of their visit to six divisions of the country to mobilise public opinion for its March 15 national convention and against war criminals. They visited Khulna on January 16.
"We also want an enquiry commission to collect complaints regarding killings, mass-killings, rape, children and women repressions, tortures and robberies during the '71 war and scrutinise those to find out the real culprits," Hasan said.
"The commission must have participation of international jurists for keeping the entire trial process above controversy," he said.
Speaking at a gathering of several thousand people, especially freedom fighters, from different northern districts at Rajshahi Zila Parishad Auditorium, the sector commanders called for forging greater unity against war criminals. They said their trial is as important as the ongoing crackdown on corruption.
AK Khandakar attended the meeting as the chief guest while it was chaired by eminent litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque.
Commander of Sector-4 Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta Bir Uttam, Sector Commanders' Forum Coordinator Maj Gen (retd) Jamil D Ahsan Bir Pratik, Sector-7 commander Lt Col Quazi Nuruzzaman, Sector-8 commander Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury attended the meeting as special guests.
Sayed Shafikul Alam, a valiant freedom fighter and general secretary of Rajshahi Liberation War Library, presided over the programme.
They said the government must take steps to keep away the perpetrators of the biggest crimes committed during the 1971 war from the upcoming elections.
Sector Commanders' Forum leaders said, if the war criminals are not tried, independence and sovereignty of the country would be jeopardised as war criminals would get the scope to assume power as they did in the past.
They said the war criminals have been taking the opportunity of the lack of justice for a long time and have already divided the people, created a social degradation and spread corruption.
AK Khandakar said, "Very few countries paid a heavy price for liberation like us. We are still lagging behind, facing deprivation and social degradation since they were not tried."
"If we all can raise voice against war criminals, no government can avoid the trial," he said.
Maj Gen CR Dutta said, "The government will be forced to try war criminals as we (freedom fighters) forced Pakistani forces to surrender."
Lt Col (retd) Quazi Nuruzzaman identified two problems--leadership and the rule of law--for the country. He said, "We have to value patriotism, merit and dedication rather than partisanship."
The leaders reached Rajshahi Friday night and they held a series of meetings with journalists, teachers, politicians, professionals and different socio-cultural organisations yesterday morning.
They laid floral wreaths at the memorial of Babla Bon mass grave in the city before they attended the meeting.
"We want the government to form a tribunal under International Crimes Act 1973 and Article 47 (3) of the constitution to try war criminals," said Sector Commanders' Forum Member Secretary Dr MA Hasan.
Hasan was briefing reporters at Rajshahi Parjatan Motel with four sector commanders led by deputy chief of Liberation War Forces and Sector Commanders' Forum Chairman Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandakar.
Sector Commanders' Forum leaders went to Rajshahi on the second leg of their visit to six divisions of the country to mobilise public opinion for its March 15 national convention and against war criminals. They visited Khulna on January 16.
"We also want an enquiry commission to collect complaints regarding killings, mass-killings, rape, children and women repressions, tortures and robberies during the '71 war and scrutinise those to find out the real culprits," Hasan said.
"The commission must have participation of international jurists for keeping the entire trial process above controversy," he said.
Speaking at a gathering of several thousand people, especially freedom fighters, from different northern districts at Rajshahi Zila Parishad Auditorium, the sector commanders called for forging greater unity against war criminals. They said their trial is as important as the ongoing crackdown on corruption.
AK Khandakar attended the meeting as the chief guest while it was chaired by eminent litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque.
Commander of Sector-4 Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta Bir Uttam, Sector Commanders' Forum Coordinator Maj Gen (retd) Jamil D Ahsan Bir Pratik, Sector-7 commander Lt Col Quazi Nuruzzaman, Sector-8 commander Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury attended the meeting as special guests.
Sayed Shafikul Alam, a valiant freedom fighter and general secretary of Rajshahi Liberation War Library, presided over the programme.
They said the government must take steps to keep away the perpetrators of the biggest crimes committed during the 1971 war from the upcoming elections.
Sector Commanders' Forum leaders said, if the war criminals are not tried, independence and sovereignty of the country would be jeopardised as war criminals would get the scope to assume power as they did in the past.
They said the war criminals have been taking the opportunity of the lack of justice for a long time and have already divided the people, created a social degradation and spread corruption.
AK Khandakar said, "Very few countries paid a heavy price for liberation like us. We are still lagging behind, facing deprivation and social degradation since they were not tried."
"If we all can raise voice against war criminals, no government can avoid the trial," he said.
Maj Gen CR Dutta said, "The government will be forced to try war criminals as we (freedom fighters) forced Pakistani forces to surrender."
Lt Col (retd) Quazi Nuruzzaman identified two problems--leadership and the rule of law--for the country. He said, "We have to value patriotism, merit and dedication rather than partisanship."
The leaders reached Rajshahi Friday night and they held a series of meetings with journalists, teachers, politicians, professionals and different socio-cultural organisations yesterday morning.
They laid floral wreaths at the memorial of Babla Bon mass grave in the city before they attended the meeting.
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