The government will create a fund for the war criminals’ trial expected to begin next month through formation of a tribunal and appointment of an investigation agency and public prosecutors.
Meanwhile, the government has asked the foreign ministry to take necessary steps to bring back the alleged war criminals hiding abroad and collect documents, films and video footages on war crimes from various countries and organisations.
“We shall have block allocation in the next budget to meet the expenses of the trial of war criminals,” Finance and Planning Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith told journalists after an inter-ministerial meeting at his ministry yesterday.
However, he did not specify the amount but said a good deal of money would be required for it.
“Money will be allocated according to the requirement,” he said.
The meeting was convened to assess the current status of the government move to try those who committed war crimes during the Liberation War in 1971.
Representatives from 10 organisations campaigning for the war criminals’ trial discussed several issues including the legal procedures for the trial with Planning Minister AK Khandaker, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for liberation war affairs AB Tajul Islam and State Minister for foreign affairs Hasan Mahmud.
Presiding over the meeting, Muhith said many countries and organisations have ample evidence and documents on the 1971 Liberation War and requested the foreign ministry to take initiative to collect those.
The law minister said all confusion over holding the trial ended through the decision of allocating fund for it.
“There was confusion that the trial may not be held but it’s over today,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Sector Commanders’ Forum President AK Khandaker said the trial process began with the allocation of fund.
Justice Golam Rabbani, chairman of Citizens’ Commission on Trial of War Criminals, said now there is no obstacle to trying war criminals.
Shahriar Kabir, a leading campaigner for the war criminals’ trial, said they wanted to know from the government about the reasons for delay in appointing prosecutors and investigation agency and formation of the tribunal.
“The International Crime (Tribunal) Act, 1973 is a unique and complete law under which the trial can be held properly,” Shahriar Kabir told The Daily Star.
“We also informed the government that confusion and frustration are growing among people due to the delay in initiating the trial process,” he said.
Home Minister Sahara Khatun told the meeting that the investigation agency would be appointed next month.
The law minister said the government is very sincere and committed to holding the trial.
Prof Muntasir Mamun, ambassador Mohammad Jamir, Lt Gen (retd) Harun-Ar-Rashid, Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah, Abdul Ahad Chowdhury of Muktijoddha Sangsad and barrister Tania Amir, among others, spoke.
Meanwhile, the Asia Wing Director of the International Centre for Transitional Justice Patrick Burghtse met the state minister for foreign affairs and discussed the trial process of war criminals.
“Sufficient information and data are required to hold trial of a crime properly,” said Patrick.
He offered Bangladesh to share the experience of his organisation in gathering information on war crimes.
He also said his organisation is willing to lend technical assistance and training to those involved in the trial process.
They observed that the trial process has to be fair and transparent so that none can raise any question about it.
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