Trial of war criminals

Photo: Amdadul Huq / Driknews

It was very disturbing to listen to two distinguished lawyers on Channel -i on trial of war criminals. The process adopted so far is failing due to reasons one can easily understand listening to these two lawyers and also international reaction to the approach taken by the government as mentioned by the law minister. He needs to be more firm and proactive. The ministry should give a comprehensive legal framework to proceed with the trial. If necessary, they should take legal opinion from experts.
We can easily see the severe constraint of the government to give full attention to the issue because of the BDR carnage and uncertain law and order situation including the threat of terrorist attack. The best course under the circumstance is to engage a group of experts in the matter to assist the government on a regular basis and see that the process of trial can yield positive results. The cabinet must take up the issue seriously and take decision for action and not media PR. Unless the government is taking action transparently, they would never find out the real obstacle to go into the trial. Unless the real obstacle is identified, you can not remove it. It is also necessary to keep the nation informed and involved at each and every step. The government should keep the nation informed about any negative pressure from inside and outside the country.
I can see one serious backlash the nation might face: our country can easily be turned into a fundamentalist state or failed state if we fail to go ahead with the trial, despite apprehension from many known quarters. If we delay, we will see more negative reaction from our international friends. They make judgment on the issue from their political perspective, rather than our national feeling and commitment; because we suffered, they did not. Just follow the international norms and initiate a well-planned legal action.
I still cannot understand why the special envoy of Pakistan was not asked to give their message of felicitation through their embassy to the foreign minister. I think we are very busy in fixing our own house, and there is no need to entertain so many visitors now. The remark of the special envoy was outrageous and interference in our internal affair.
This brings us into the basic question of protocol. How long we will continue this knee-down protocol at the cost of our national prestige.
The ministry of law seems to be acting loosely without being firm and proactive on those two major issues- BDR trial and the trial of war criminals. Please do not let the nation down for your weakness and inaction.