Govt asked to follow int'l procedures

Panellists at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap yesterday demanded immediate trial of the war criminals of 1971.
Amnesty International (AI) Secretary General Irene Khan, one of the panellists, suggested following international rules in the trial process so that it does not appear to be an act of revenge.
"The war criminals must be tried early, urgently and fairly," she said.
Irene Khan said the people could mount pressure on the government to bring the war criminals to justice. And it is always the government's responsibility to try them, she said adding that if there is no trial for these crimes, then the heinous acts would occur again and again.
BBC Bangla Service in conjunction with the BBC World Service Trust organised the event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital yesterday. Kamal Ahmed of BBC Bangla Service moderated the event.
Awami League Organising Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the war criminals could be brought to justice if the current government took initiative.
BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan said the government would have their support for the trial of war criminals.
Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, observed that the war criminals could not be brought to justice in the past because of political opportunists. He urged the government to invite representatives of the United Nations and learn from them how war criminals in other countries were tried.
He said a number of war criminals have been abusing Islam to shield themselves. He said all, including the religious people of the country who love Islam, want trial of the war criminals.
Three out of the four panellists at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap demanded immediate resignation of Food and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury for his "irresponsible remarks" about the soaring prices of rice.
Manna said, "He [the food adviser] knows nothing about the government's initiatives and that is why he has the right to stay in the cabinet no more." He said a number of the advisers to the caretaker government did not have any experience in running the country.
Nazrul Islam Khan and Mahfuz Anam also demanded the resignation of the food adviser.
Terming the demand logical, Nazrul Islam Khan said he has doubts whether the adviser would resign.
"Of course we demand the resignation of the adviser. His remarks apparently made the government look worthless, powerless and irresponsible. We do not want such kind of advisers who do not take responsibilities for their job," said Mahfuz Anam, in response to a query from an audience.
He said these kinds of advisers are pushing the government towards failure.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Tapan Chowdhury said the government now has nothing to do with reducing the prices of rice.
Irene Khan said the government should take responsibility if a crisis appears and it should be accountable.
Both the AL and BNP leaders expressed their doubts whether the election would be held on time.
Responding to a query whether the parliamentary elections would be held within the year 2008, Irene Khan said it would depend on the role of the political parties, the caretaker government, the military and the people. "The elections would certainly be held if all wanted the elections," she said.
About the army's role in holding the elections, Irene Khan said the Bangladesh Army could set an example by promoting democracy.
She said the government should put a time limit on the state of emergency. She also said like the previous governments since 1971, this government did not bring the violators of human rights to justice or follow different international human rights rules properly.
She urged the government to have dialogues with the members of the civil society and political parties before setting up the National Human Rights Commission.
The Daily Star editor said the preparation of a flawless voter list with national identity cards, among other things, is going on to make sure that the elections are held in a free and fair manner. "I do not see any sign that the elections would not be held on time," he said.
The editor urged the government to initiate dialogues with political parties as early as possible to end confusions and doubts.
Terming the current emergency rule an unusual situation, he urged the government to put a quick end to this situation.
Mannan said different issues including finding out the war criminals and their trial might come to fore in the coming days. This could make the situation complicated for holding the elections on time.
Nazrul said the state of emergency should be lifted as people have aspiration for a free and fair election.