ICT registrar slams Jamaat counsel

Dhaka, July 13 (bdnews24.com)?The International Crimes Tribunal registrar has hit back at the counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami leaders for his 'aggressive and discourteous' remarks.

Shahinur Rahman responded at a press briefing on Wednesday to the statement of barrister Abdur Razzaq, lawyer for the Jamaat leaders arrested for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes during the nation's independence war in 1971.

Barrister Razzaq, himself a leader of the Islamist party, at a press conference on Tuesday said that the tribunal failed to ensure justice for those facing trial for crimes against humanity.

Criticising the rules of procedures to try those, barrister Razzaq said if the ICT held the trial following the amended rules of procedure, justice would not be established.

"Not only the Jamaat leaders, other accused persons would also be deprived of justice under the amended rules," he claimed.

On behalf of the defence, Razzaq raised five-point demand to ensure justice, saying without the implementation of those demands the trial would not be acceptable to the civil society and the international community.

Shahinur in his reaction said that everyone has freedom and right to expression, but it should not be discourteous.

"That which can create confusion among the people in name of expressing opinion should not be acceptable to all."

"I earnestly request all concerned to show politeness and sense of proportion in expressing opinion and have a clear idea regarding the tribunal and its judicial activities."

Shahinur said the tribunal was an independent judicial organisation formed to ensure transparent, neutral, open and speedy trial of the internationally recognised crimes.

He said that a policy was formulated and required amendment was brought as per the Section 22 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 to ensure free and fair trial.

Responding to a query, he said there was no obstruction from the tribunal to appoint foreign counsels. "Anyone can come taking permission from Bangladesh Bar Council and the amendment of the constitution is not under the jurisdiction of the tribunal."

Asked about the statement of the prime ministe at the UN General Council that the trial of the war crimes suspects was being held maintaining international standard, he said that the tribunal will determine the standards of the trial.

"No one has authority to speak about it, even I."

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