1973 war criminal trial law being examined to remove loopholes

The government will not allow any loophole in 1973 law which may either facilitate any war criminal to escape punishment or obstruct expedited trial procedure.
At a press briefing Tuesday, Law State Minister Advocate Quamrul Islam said examination of the law of 1973 goes on to ascertain as to whether there is any loophole which may make way for war criminals to escape punishment or hinder speedy procedure of their trial.
He said that trial of war criminals was committed in election manifesto of Awami League government and after assuming office it has been working to this effect.
Referring to a meeting of law minister, home minister and legal experts held yesterday, he said that they sat together to discuss on the issues of determining trial procedure, UNDP assistance, filing FIR, investigation procedure, number of IOs and examination of 1973 law to find out any loopholes.
Trial of war criminals is going to be held in 2009 with the law of 1973 which may require to be updated, he said, adding that the aforesaid law is sure to be applied in trying war criminals but modification of this law is being considered.
He accentuated possibility of initiating trial saying "We must put war criminals on the dock and thus the government is taking all out preparations."
Law State Minister said certain things being considered in this regard are putting war criminals on dock quickly, expediting trial and leaving no lacuna in law to prevent criminals' escape.
Replying to query as to whether appeal provision within 60 days under 1973 law will cause delay in punishment he said, "Let the trial start getting everything okayed."
Referring to postponement of trial of Bangabandhu murder case he said everybody is knowledgeable about the reason of such postponement but one can be sure that trial of war criminals will be completed within 2009 while trial of BB murder case also will be finished within the tenure of this government.
He stated that appointment of Investigating Officer (IO) to make list of war criminals and investigate into their crimes will be held tomorrow (Thursday) instead of today which is scheduled for cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, State minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Haque Tuku on Tuesday said the government is bound to the people to hold the trial of war criminals.
"The AL has made a commitment to the people in its poll manifesto that it would hold the trial of war criminals if voted to power. The people voted AL for holding the trial of war criminals who killed freedom fighters during our liberation war in 1971. As per its commitment, the government has decided to kick off the trial by appointing an investigating officer," the state minister said while addressing a roundtable discussion on "Role of Government and People in holding the Trial of War Criminals" organized by Sammilito Tarun Peshajibi Parishad held at National Press Club yesterday afternoon with Barrister Zakir Ahmed in the chair.
"The people will have to be united and assist the government to hold the trial of war criminals and now it is a national demand. In December 29 general polls, voters especially young generations cast their votes for AL-led alliance with a hope that AL-led government will hold the trial of war criminals in Bangladesh." he said, adding, " If we want to see Bangladesh free from war criminals and militancy, the members of civil societies need to cooperate with the government."
Addressing the roundtable discussion, Columnist Shahriar Kabir said the existing International War Crime Tribunal Act-1973 is sufficient for successful completion of the trial of war criminals.
"There is no need of taking assistance from United Nations or any other international organization. The government should not take any help from UN." he said adding," Soon after the announcement of holding trial of war criminals by the government, Jamaat leaders have been delivering statements against the government move and it proves that they are war criminals."
He alleged that a deep rooted conspiracy is being hatched by a vested quarter to destabilize the government and BDR carnage is a part of such attempt.
MP Fazle Hossain Badsha said the objectives of the war of independence would not be achieved unless war criminals are punished. "The Razakars, Al-Badr who killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people and opposed our liberation must be brought to justice."
AL leader Nurul Alam alleged that BNP is trying to save the war criminals. "BNP does not oppose the trial of war criminals but it is trying to protect them in many ways."