Suranjit slams Shafique over trial disclosure

Dhaka, June 20 (bdnews24.com)?A senior Awami League leader has said no minister has the legal jurisdiction to declare when the trial of suspected war criminals will begin.

The ruling party's advisory council member Suranjit Sengupta's barb was apparently aimed at the law minister Shafique Ahmed for his remarks the trial would begin in July.

At the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday, Suranjit, also the chief of parliamentary watchdog on law ministry, slammed the government for its 'unpardonable' failure to begin the trial even after two and a half years into its term.

The discussion, organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, on militancy and communalism-free Bangladesh was held to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Sufia Kamal.

About the announcement, he said: "The government has already formed the tribunal, prosecution and the investigating agency. It's the tribunal who will decide about the beginning of the trial.

"No minister has the legal power to say so, not even us," he observed.

Law minister Shafique on Sunday said, "The progress that the investigators and prosecutors have shown lead me to the belief that the trial could begin next month. They have confirmed about beginning of the trial of two.

"The rest may face trial in August," the technocrat minister added.

To date, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, secretary-general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, assistant secretaries-general Muhammad Abdul Quader Molla and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, executive council member Delwar Hossain Sayedee, BNP leaders Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Abdul Alim, a minister of Ziaur Rahman 's cabinet, have been arrested on war crimes charges.

Suranjit said only the tribunal and prosecution team members should speak to the media. "Confusions may be created if others do that."

Urging the government to begin the trial soon, he said: "People will lose patience if the trial don't start by this year."

CHARTER AMENDMENT

The senior Awami League leader hoped the report of the special parliamentary committee on constitution review would be placed in the cabinet shortly.

"It'll be tabled in parliament this session and the amendments will be inserted."

The report containing 51 recommendations was placed in the legislative assembly on June 8 and is now with the law ministry for scrutiny.

Suranjit, co-chair of the panel, said that the review was necessary as the court had annulled fifth, seventh and 13th amendments.

CG ISSUE

Suranjit urged the BNP not to create anarchy over the caretaker government issue. "Discussion is not possible outside parliament. So the opposition has to come to parliament."

Pointing at the opposition leader Khaleda Zia, he said: "She has suddenly liked some parts of the 13th amendment. Then you've to clarify in parliament if you accept the verdicts in fifth, seventh and 13th amendment."

The BNP chief on June 16 said ruled out discussion with the government on the caretaker government issue.

"The provision of holding national elections under caretaker government must be retained. No new formula is required. There is no scope for discussion either."

Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam on the next day though urged Khaleda for talks?anytime, anywhere. On June 18, he said the government action on the issue would be within the periphery of the court verdict.

The Supreme Court on May 10 had repealed the 13th Amendment to the constitution, but said the next two general elections could be held under unelected rulers.

The special parliamentary committee, however, proposed to scrap the system.

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