BNP welcomes move to bring AL under trial

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said their party welcomed the government move to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to bring Awami League under trial as a political party.

“A historic event took place in the national life of Bangladesh yesterday (Saturday). I have already welcomed those who played the crucial role in this regard,” he said during a discussion.

The BNP leader also said, “I also welcome the interim government's move to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to bring the Awami League in the trial process as a political party.”

The discussion was organised on seven proposals of the Citizen Initiative, Citizen Coalition and Citizen Alliance for Reforming the Democratic Structure of the State at the auditorium of the International Mother Language Institute, reports UNB.

Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said he himself, on behalf of the party, placed the demand for the trial of Awami League for committing mass killings and crimes against humanity through the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act on February 5.

He said their party on different occasions also made the demand as per the desire of the country’s people.

“Why does the BNP have to go to Shahbagh to place this demand?…We raised this demand as a party in many places and the people of Bangladesh wanted it. We met the Chief Adviser on 10 February and gave that proposal in writing,” Salahuddin said.

He said had the Chief Adviser taken the matter into consideration at that time, it would not have led to the embarrassing situation of the last two days.

The BNP leader said there are precedents in different countries of the world where all fascist parties were brought to justice as parties responsible for genocide and were banned.

“There are examples of this all over the world. So, I welcome the announcement that the interim government will ensure the trial of the Awami League through legal processes, even if it is late,” he observed.

Claiming that people across the country are eager to vote in the next parliamentary elections, the BNP leader said, “For that, we have called upon the Chief Adviser to announce a roadmap for the next election soon. Otherwise, such an embarrassing situation may arise again.”