PM backs law minister on Jamaat trial stance

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has backed the law minister’s position that the Jamaat-e-Islami cannot be tried as a party for war crimes during the Liberation War.

At a press meet on Saturday at Ganabhaban, she said, “Our minister is right. He is only saying what the reality is under the existing laws.”

Law Minister Anisul Huq had come under fire from various quarters for having said that the Jamaat cannot be tried for war crimes under the existing laws. The observation provoked a sharp reaction from the Ganajagaran Mancha, which gave the minister an ultimatum to withdraw the statement.

But the prime minister has supported Huq’s arguments. “The legal issue has been taken to the High Court. We can do nothing before the court pronounces a verdict.”

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Speaking at an event in Dhaka on Saturday, Law Minister reiterated his position, saying, “Jamaat will be tried in time. Their trial will follow all the laws. There’s no need to be impatient.”

“Jamaat cannot be tried for war crimes without amending the existing laws,” he repeated.

The minister said the trial of Bangabandhu’s murderers under the Awami League government had fully followed the law. “No one will ever find any fault with that trial. Jamaat, too, will be properly tried,” he said.

He slammed his critics, saying, “Those who want a trial right now are, in fact, trying to impede the trial.”