Dhaka, July 21 (BDNEWS) – Writer of the 'Bangladesh: The Unfinished Revolution' eminent US journalist Laurence Liftsulz Friday said that the government should make public the documents of the secret trial of Colonel Taher, who was hanged to death in 1975 by a military court.
Referring to the National Commission of Argentina and North America, he also said that Bangladesh should form such commission to find out the secret killings and unearth the truths.
"Whoever be in the government, should confess that the secret trial and the verdict was a great mistake," Liftsulz, who wrote the book on the August 15 tragedy and its aftermaths, including hanging of Col Taher, said at a discussion on the 30th death anniversary of Colonel Taher.
Col Taher was ordered hang to death by a military court during General Zia's Martial Law period and the order was carried out on July 21, 1976.
Presided over by eminent journalist Kamal Lohani, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Gonoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain and Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon. Colonel Taher Sriti Sangsad organised it.
Liftsulz, the former South Asia bureau chief of the Far Eastern Economic Review, said that the urge for the justice of slain Colonel Taher is not for any particular government.
"I am requesting Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to search her soul. Once, Khaleda considered Colonel Taher as a family friend. Even, when Ziaur Rahman was afraid of his life, Khaleda sought help from Colonel Taher, who saved the life of Zia," recalling the history Liftsulz said adding: Zia thanked colonel Taher in front of hundreds of soldiers for saving his (Zia) life.
Liftsulz said: I don't believe that Khaleda would support the secret trial of colonel Taher in a martial law court. "Because, it is a question of justice," he added.
Laurence Liftsulz said, those who took part in the coup in the 3rd November led by Khaled Mosharraf got Scott-free, but who helped and saved Zia's life had to walk into the gallows.
Liftsulz also criticised the then president justice Abu Sayem. "He was such president who violated the law," he criticised.
Referring the "Purnachandra Vs State" case, Liftsulz said, during the trial, Abu Sayem was the chief justice and he (Sayem) condoned the death penalty of the accused in the name of justice.
"But irony of fate that when Sayem became president, he signed the paper of death penalty of colonel Taher," Liftsulz said adding: This was an act of hypocrite.
He also criticised the role of ATM Afzal, who was the chief prosecutor of colonel Taher.
"He did not protest the death penalty of Taher," Liftsulz said recalling the proceedings and added: I found lack of courage and morality in him.
He said, not only the secret trial of colonel Taher, there were lots of tragic incidents occurred in the army during 1975-81. The government should take steps to unearth the truths, he commented.
He said secrets behind the killing of Tajuddin along with other leaders in the jail, killings of 400 soldiers in 1977, killing of general Manzur in army custody and the secret trial of 13 officials during Zia's regime should also be made public.
Liftsulz said, during the camera trial, colonel Taher did not get lawyers and was not allowed to meet his family members.
Dr Kamal Hossain called for holding a rally at the National Mausoleum with the near and dear ones who lost their lives in secret killings and other extra-judicial killings.
Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon said, if the 14-party government voted to power, they would ensure justice for colonel Taher killing.
BDNEWS/2152 hrs
