ICSF stresses concerted efforts to take war crimes trial forward in Bangladesh

Speakers at a dialogue in Dhaka have stressed “concerted efforts” of all including civil society groups and legal institutes to devise strategy to take forward the war crimes trial in Bangladesh.

They also suggested making an “action plan” to carry forward the trial, and also paying attention in educating people about the trial.

They once again put stress on making witness protection act, the ICSF said in a statement.

Former National Human Rights Commission chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman, Barrister Shah Ali Farhad, prosecutors Ziad Al Malum, and Rana Das Gupta were present, among others, at the dialogue.

The International Crimes Strategy Forum (ICSF) organised the dialogue on the future of the International Crimes Trial, Bangladesh or ICT-BD in Dhaka on Saturday.

ICSF is an independent global network of experts, justice, advocates and organisations committed to end impunity for international war crimes, ensure justice for the victims of these crimes, and uphold rule of law and human rights.

The activities of ICSF are focussed on justice for international crimes, such as, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and terrorism – through documentation, campaign, advocacy, research and education.

Bangladesh stared the trial of the collaborators of 1971 war of independence since the setting up of the war crimes tribunal in 2010.

Six of the convicts have so far been hanged for crimes against humanity they committed during the war.