Necessity of old evidence in trials of international crimes
In seeking justice by holding trials of international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime, there is obvious need to accept old evidence, historical records and victims’ recollections by the courts and tribunals, said Barrister M. Amir-Ul Islam in the 6th UAP Distinguished Law Lecture Series 2017, organised by the Department of Law and Human Rights, University of Asia Pacific (UAP) on Wednesday, 25 January 2017.
The architect of Bangladesh’s Proclamation of Independence, Barrister Islam talked on the significance of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-Bangladesh to try the perpetrators of 1971 genocide and war crimes. By highlighting the historical importance of 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh, he said that one must not forget the past as it has curious habit of recurrence unless dealt with in an appropriate manner.
While referring to international scenarios of genocide trials of Nuremberg, Cambodia, Rwanda and Yugoslavia, he commented that given the failure of many international and hybrid tribunals, the role of national tribunals to end the impunity of perpetrators is being increasingly appreciated. National trials are in proximity to the victims, which renders the pursuit of justice more meaningful to the country. The genocide trial operating within Bangladesh and in proximity to the victims thus render the pursuit of justice a more meaningful exercise.
He also said that since the commencement of the trial of the perpetrators of war criminals in Bangladesh, it is noticeable that the mobilisations of the people and the State agencies have demonstrated a significant success and solidarity in combating the recent terrorist attacks in Bangladesh.
While presiding over the programme, the UAP vice-chancellor Profesor Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury encouraged young law students and researchers to conduct authentic research on the liberation war history and subsequent justice process.
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