War crimes trial cannot be deadlined: Law Minister

Law Minister Anisul Haque has told Parliament he cannot specifically say when the war crimes trial would end, although he hoped they would conclude ‘soon’.

In reply to a question, Haque said the trial of crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War was an ongoing process.

“After the verdicts by the International Crimes Tribunal, the cases may be heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court before conclusion.”

“Therefore it cannot be said with certainty when the ongoing trials may be concluded,” he said.

The Law Minister said the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 had been amended to expedite the process.

“We have made the provision of resolving appeals within 60 days, through which we hope to uphold the promise made to the people about concluding the trials as soon as possible.”

In reply to another question, the minister said a step had been taken to assess the competence of state counsels working across the country.

“We are now gathering reports from district judges or equivalent officers about the matter,” he said.

The Law Minister also informed Parliament there were 46,754 cases in trial under the Dowry Prohibition Act.