Those saying BNP won’t try mass killing suspects are ‘schemers’, says Nazrul Islam

The senior BNP leader says that those who say the trials will be delayed or disrupted if the party takes power are ignorant

Those who say that BNP will not try those accused in mass killings are “scheming”, says party leader Nazrul Islam Khan.

The BNP Standing Committee member made the comment at an event on Sunday while explaining the party’s stance on the trials.

He said, "Those who say that the trial of these criminals will be delayed or disrupted in any way if we, who were severely oppressed and persecuted, take power, are simply ignorant. They are schemers."

‘‘There can’t be any good intentions behind their statements. No one has tried these Awami League criminals more than us. We will be the happiest if they face proper justice.”

Nazrul said, "We want proper trials for the fascists who committed genocide, but not for justice to be delayed."

"Their crimes are so clear, the evidence against them is so clear that it can be said with certainty that they will be punished; and they should be. This is also our major demand."

The event was organised by the Bangladesh Labour Party to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising.

‘ELECTION DELAY WON’T BE ACCEPTED’

Nazrul said, "Why delay the fulfilment of the aspiration of the people in the country to establish an elected government by delaying the election? This should not be done. We believe that an impartial election environment has already started developing in the country. The Election Commission has said that they have prepared the voter list and are even trying to get our expatriates to vote. They have worked on demarcation of the constituencies and asked everyone to inform them if there is any complaint by Aug 10. We hope the demarcation will be done by this month.”

‘‘The works of the National Consensus Committee and reform commissions are already completed. Even the draft of July Charter, that we received, we recommended just some small changes in language and diction… no major changes. We have agreed on it. Even that charter, which contains a commitment that political parties will sign and agree to implement whatever is written in it when elected...we have agreed. So why delay the elections if the Election Commission is ready?"

In his speech, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran said, "Our party was not allowed to register during the fascist era. On May 29, the court ordered for us to registered. The good news is that the Election Commission has registered our party - Bangladesh Labour Party - and our symbol is the pineapple. We’ll accept the party symbol at the EC next week In Sha Allah."

‘‘We would tell the government to stop dilly dallying with the election and announce the election schedule soon. Otherwise, you’ll face the same consequences as that of Sri Lanka.”