Govt to go ahead with trial of war criminals

Participation of women at all levels should be ensured for developing their leadership, said the speakers at a seminar in the city yesterday.
The seminar titled 'Getting to leadership: Breaking the barrier and removing the obstacles' was organised jointly by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL) at the BIISS Auditorium.
Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni was the keynote speaker at the seminar.
She said, “Our attitude towards women is a major barrier for them to play the leadership role in the society.”
About reserved seats in parliament for women, Dipu Moni said she personally believes that the concept is "designed to fail."
She suggested fixing a minimum quota for political parties to nominate their women candidates for parliamentary polls.
“Our aim is to increase the number of women at decision-making level,” said BDAWL Executive Director Nasim Firdous.
She said the Alliance will continue to seek 33 percent of all leadership positions in every sector for women by 2015 as outlined in the million development goals (MDGs).
BIISS Director General Maj Gen ABM Shafiul Huq chaired the programme where women MPs, political leaders, government officials, representatives of international community and civil society, academics and diplomats were present.
While talking to reporters after the seminar, Dipu Moni said the government is pledge-bound to hold the trial of war criminals.
Clarifying her talks with the visiting Pakistani envoy Mirza Zia Ispahani, she said the trial of 1971 war criminals was not included in their discussion.
Bangladesh would go ahead with the trials, reiterated the foreign minister.