Don't nominate anti-liberation individuals
Nirmul Committee urges political parties ahead of general election
Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, a forum for secular Bangladesh and trial of war criminals, yesterday urged the country's political parties not to nominate those who were involved in genocide and crimes against humanity in 1971 as candidates in the upcoming parliamentary election.
“Please do not give nomination to those against whom there are allegations of involvement in the genocide and crimes against humanity during the Liberation War,” Nirmul Committee President Shahriar Kabir said at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
He also called upon political parties not to nominate the offspring of those convicted for crimes against humanity, if they do not apologise to the nation and the families of the martyrs for their parents' crimes in 1971.
“Please do not nominate those who do not believe in the spirit of Liberation War or are connected directly or indirectly with anti-liberation fundamentalists and communal forces,” Shahriar said, adding, “We also urge them (political parties) not to nominate those involved in smuggling, drug peddling and corruption.”
He hoped the political parties will make declarations in their election manifestos about completing the ongoing trial of war criminals.
Shahriar also urged the government to ensure security for minority communities during the elections.
Nirmul Committee Vice Presidents Professor Muntassir Mamoon and Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, Adviser Shahabuddin Ahmed and Justice Mohammed Nizamul Huq, among others, attended the press conference.