War criminals must be tried urgently, fairly

Amnesty International's (AI) Secretary General Irene Khan said not only Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, the chiefs of BNP and Awami League respectively, but all prisoners have the right to get justice.
"Justice protects human rights," she said adding that it is equally applicable for all prisoners.
While talking to journalists during her attendances at different programmes organised by Brac in Tangail yesterday, the chief of global human rights watchdog said the government has responsibilities in ensuring fair trials.
Irene Khan said on the one hand manifold political problems and a state of emergency are prevailing in the country, while on the other the people are becoming united to protect their human rights. This is a very big thing for the country, she added.
About trials of war criminals the AI secretary general said the war criminals should be tried urgently and fairly, adding, "We said this earlier and this time we will also tell the government that the trials should take place in accordance with international laws."
In the morning, Irene Khan visited a centre for Brac's women micro borrowers at Khudirampur village under Karatia union of Sadar upazila in Tangail.
Later, she visited a human rights education class operated by the world's largest non-governmental organisation in Nagar Jalpai village under Sadar upazila, which was followed by a visit to a health education centre in Latifpur village under the same upazila.
Answering journalists' questions about Madhupur's indigenous leader Chalesh Ritchil's death in the custody of law enforcers, Irene Khan said, "Amnesty International have already picked up the case and we will ask the government about the reasons of Chalesh's death and what initiatives have been taken regarding a trial."