UNB, Dhaka :
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Thursday observed that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as an organisation must be tried for its crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
“The trial of war criminals is being held on Bangladesh soil… it’ll complete very soon. We’re going to enter a new chapter closing that of the last 42 years. As an organisation, Jamaat has to be tried,” he said.
The minister was talking to reporters after a views-exchange meeting on the updated draft of the Registration Manual at a city hotel.
Terming personal the comments of US Ambassador at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen J Rapp that the US does not support the trial of any
political party or organisation for war crimes, Anisul said the trial of Jamaat must be held taking into consideration what the country’s people want.
At a press conference at the American Center in the city on Wednesday, Rapp, head of the Office of Global Criminal Justice, said no political party or organisation should be tried for crimes against humanity; rather focus should be given on ‘individuals’ who had committed crimes.
Turning to the amendment to the war crimes law, Anisul said specific provisions have been incorporated in the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to try Jamaat and its associate bodies. “The draft of the amended law will be placed before the Cabinet very soon.”
