Mizanur hails historic verdict in war crimes trial

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman has expressed satisfaction over the second war crimes tribunal’s verdict sentencing former Jamaat-e-Islami activist Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar to death and called for early execution of the order.

He said the verdict had marked the beginning of the ‘culture of accountability’ in the country.

“We were eagerly waiting for this verdict. I am happy over the death sentence being given for crimes against humanity ... but at the same time, the verdict also leaves me a bit unhappy,” Rahman said.

He was happy as this verdict had started the culture of accountability, and he was somewhat frustrated since Bachchu Razakar was still out of law’s reach, the NHRC chief explained.

Rahman’s reaction over the International Crimes Tribunal-2 verdict came while speaking to journalists after a programme at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

He also emphasised on implementation of the verdict fast. “Now I only wish that he [Bachchu Razakar] is nabbed anyhow and the verdict is executed. Trial of all those who committed crimes against humanity must be finished quickly.”

In the historic verdict, the three-judge ICT-2 earlier in the day sentenced Bachchu Razakar to death for committing crimes against humanity during the War of Independence in 1971.

The tribunal ordered Azad death by hanging while finding him guilty on seven counts. He was acquitted in one charge.