Form special war crime tribunal, commission
Sector Commanders, intellectuals, lawyers and academicians yesterday suggested that the new government form a special tribunal and a commission to try the war criminals and collect evidences of war crimes.
However, some of them proposed holding the trial under international laws involving the United Nations for its acceptance to all.
They also congratulated the new government and the lawmakers on passing the resolution in the parliament unanimously on 'immediate' trial of war criminals on Thursday.
Terming the move 'the first victory of their movement,' Sector Commander Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah said the trial of war criminals has become a national demand.
He said the trial should begin under the international laws involving the United Nations.
"I know that it will take a little longer to complete the trial if the United Nations is involved in it. But the United Nations' involvement in the trial process will leave no scope for any other government to overturn it," KM Shafiullah told The Daily Star.
He said the government will have to submit charge sheets against those who perpetrated war crimes.
Another sector commander Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali proposed that the government form a commission to collect all evidences of war crimes.
"The trial of war criminal must be held as per the laws of the country. We can engage an expert from international war crimes tribunal in the trial process. But it is the government, not any individual, that needs to file cases as these are crimes against humanity," he told The Daily Star.
He said it is the responsibility of the Awami League government to fulfil their election pledge of trying the war criminals because the new generation cast vote for them in the December 29 polls because of the pledge.
Advocate Sultana Kamal, former adviser to a caretaker government, suggested forming a special tribunal for trying war criminals as it will be difficult to find hard evidences of war crimes committed about 38 years ago.
"It is a very good sign that an Awami League lawmaker placed the proposal and it was passed in the House unanimously. I hope that the trial process will begin within six months," Sultana Kamal told The Daily Star.
She said the government will find the evidences of war crimes going through the documents, newspapers and magazines published at that time.
Barrister Rafiqul Haque proposed that the government form a special tribunal with a High Court Judge as chairman and two to four judges as its members.
"After forming the special tribunal, government will have to file cases and submit charge sheets against the war criminals," he told The Daily Star.
Former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Maniruzzaman Miah said questions about the trial's acceptance might be raised if it is held as per the laws of the land.
"I suggest that the government start the trial under international laws. But strong evidences are required to bring the war criminals to justice," the academician added.
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