Trial to end culture of impunity, establish rule of law
(From left) Andrew Cayley, Barrister M Amir Ul Islam, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, Alphons MM Orie and Agnieszka Klonoqiecka-Milart at an international seminar titled “Old Evidence and Core International Crimes” organised by Forum of International Criminal and Humanitarian Law in the city's Sonargaon Hotel yesterday.Photo: STAR
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said democracy cannot be institutionalised unless people who committed crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation are brought to justice.
Trial on crimes against humanity is being held in order to put an end to the culture of impunity, heal the wound of the nation, establish the rule of law and ensure justice for the victims, he said.
Shafique was speaking as the chief guest after inaugurating a daylong international seminar titled “Old Evidence and Core International Crimes” in the morning.
Forum of International Criminal and Humanitarian Law, an international law organisation, organised the seminar in the city's Sonargaon Hotel.
Eminent legal expert Barrister M Amir Ul Islam, International Criminal Court (ICC) Consultant and ICC Legal Tools Project Coordinator Morten Bergsmo and Prof David Cohen from California University spoke at the function.
Shafique said the government amended International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973 in order to ensure a fair and transparent trial of perpetrators of 1971 crimes against humanity.
The accused criminals have been provided all opportunities to defend themselves including the option to select lawyers as per their own choice, he said.
The minister also urged the international community to extend their cooperation to Bangladesh to make the trial a success.
Amir presented a written statement saying, “There is no scope to be ambivalent, hesitant or even half-hearted in one's resolve to try and punish those perpetrators with a proper investigation and by a fair trial.”
Failure to bring criminals to justice slowly contributes towards generating future crimes, he added.
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