Centre For Bangladesh Studies

London Inside this issue

Supreme mockery of justice Hasinas government Ghulam Azam challenges Mir Quasem Ali indicted Jamaat protests over voter list exclusion HRW questions Azam verdict Bangladesh in political darkness Tribunals irresponsible lies 2 Jamaat leaders summoned No plan to ban any party now: Ashraf 1 2 2 2 3

Bangladesh News
Mollah sentenced to death under political pressure

Supreme Mockery of Justice

Dhaka, 17 September 2013:A five-member Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, overturned a trial court verdict and awarded sentence of death to Jamaat Assistant Secretary General on Tuesday 17th September. This unprecedented appeal was conducted after the government rushed through an amendment of the tribunal law after its initial verdict of life imprisonment and gave the amendment retrospective effect. This is a wrong judgement! This was the reaction of chief of defence counsel Barrister Abdur Razzaque in response to the verdict of Supreme Court sentencing Abdul Qader Mollah to death. Razzaque said, This is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh that a life sentence verdict of a trial court changed to death sentence in the appeal of Supreme Court. Defence lawyer Razzaq said: We will file a review petition within 30 days of receiving the full verdict. We are respectful of the highest court in the land and we are bound to accept this verdict, he said in his reaction. Responding to the Attorney Generals contention that there was no scope to file a review plea since the trial was conducted under a special law, he said, Pleading for a review is Quader Mollas constitutional right. The Supreme Court was created by the Constitution, not by the ICT Act, he reasoned. Razzaq said the matter of presidential pardon would follow review. Bangladesh Bar Council Chairman Khandker Mahbub Hossain echoed Razzaq. It is a wrong verdict. Well file a review to correct this mistake. Hossain, said death sentence was a controversial issue all over the world. The Appellate Division handed him (Molla) death sentence based on the same evidence for which the trial court had sentenced him to life, he said. International Defence Team of Abdul Quader Mollah condemn retrospective sentencing of Jammat-e-Islami member to death by Appellate Division of the Supreme Court In a statement to the media following the appeal judgment, the Bangladesh Attorney General stated that the right to review contained under the Constitution in capital cases would not apply, as the war cri mes trial fell outside of the Constitution. This decision over which the accused now has no further right of appeal or review is in clear breach of international law. It lends further weight to calls for the war crimes trials to be condemned and replaced by a credible, International Criminal Tribunal under the auspices of the United Nations. Abdul Quader Mollah was convicted following a highly controversial trial in which the Presiding Judge was removed following the resignation of the disgraced

7 Shibir men hurt in Jessore

Give up blue print No time limit Police on arrest spree HR Group Odhikar leader arrested Jamaat called strike EU Delegation Meets Jamaat leaders ICC to Probe Hasinas Crime

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Volume 1 Issue 10 September 15 2013

Chairman as a consequence of the Skypegate scandal. The defence were prevented from calling witnesses and the case was promptly closed by the Tribunal and rushed to judgment. Both the Tribunal and the Supreme Court have failed to apply the law as it stood in 1971 and took judicial notice of contentious facts that were not in evidence. The defence were also prevented on numerous occasions from having privileged communications with the accused. The countless defects in the trial process and the numerous errors in law were so severe that they invalidate the entire judgment and any conviction amount to a miscarriage of justice. It is deeply regrettable that the Supreme Court has failed to remedy these defects on appeal and has applied a law that is unconstitutional and in breach of international law. In a statement leaders of UK based campaign organisation Save Bangladesh Barrister Nazrul Islam and Barrister Abubaker Mollah rejected the verdict terming it politically motivated. The leaders said that in the panel consists of 5 members, one of them was a party men of ruling Awami league. This judgement was prepared by the government and read out by the so called panel. Nazrul and Mollah said, in the whole world Death Sentence is a controversial issue and it is unprecedented that a lesser verdict of a trial court changed to death sentence in the Supreme Court.

Hasinas government would eliminate me

Dhaka: august 4: Sukharanjan Bali, a war crimes trial witness who was abducted from outside the international crimes tribunal by the security forces when he came to give evidence in favour of Jamaat deputy Ameer Mawlana Delwar Hossain Saydee in November last year. Bali, a Hindu citizen of Bangladesh from Mawlana Syedees area of Pirojpur have been languishing in an Indian jail after thrown across the border by the Bangladeshi police. He was originally summoned by the prosecution to give witness against Mawlana Syedee but refused to give false evidence. Friday pleaded in the Supreme Court in India not to deport him to Bangladesh, reports New Age newspaper . Sukharanjan Bali told the court that Sheikh Hasinas government would eliminate him as he had turned hostile during an ongoing trial on the 1971 war crimes, Kolkata-based Indian daily newspaper The Telegraph said. The

Bangladeshi war crimes trial witness pleads to stay in India

weeks . In his petition, filed through a nephew, Sukharanjan said that he was initially arrayed as a prosecution witnesses before the war crimes tribunal in one case . After he had turned hostile in November 2012, he claimed that he had been abducted by security forces at the gates of the tribunal in Dhaka. After being kept in illegal custody, Sukharanjan alleged that he had been pushed across the border into India where the BSF arrested him. Sukharanjans lawyer Colin Gonzalves on Friday urged the bench to take up the matter urgently saying that he could be sent back any time. A court in Basirhat of the North 24 Parganas sentenced Sukharanjan in April this year to 110 days for illegally entering India. He has already served the sentence and fears he could be sent back to Bangladesh any moment.

Ghulam Azam Mir Quasem Ali challenges indicted, trial verdict starts on Sep 30
Former Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Ghulam Azam filed an appeal with the Supreme Court on Monday challenging the 90-year jail. Finding him guilty of all five wartime criminal offences, the ICT-1 on July 15 sentenced Ghulam Azam to 90 years imprisonment for masterminding crimes against humanity, genocide and other wartime offences in 1971. Challenging the verdict, Advocate Tajul Islam and some other lawyers on Monday submitted a 95-page appeal along with documents of more than 9,000 pages on behalf of Ghulam Azam to the appeal section of the apex court. In the appeal, Ghulam Azam mentioned 109 grounds for seeking acquittal of the charges. The Jamaat leader said the ICT-1 has committed a serious error of law in finding Ghulam Azam criminally liable for the commission of the offences in 1971 under section 4(2) of the ICT act. In the appeal, Ghulam Azam said there is no element of offences or crimes against humanity and genocide in the charges brought against him. crimes against humanity during the countrys Liberation War in 1971. The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1 headed by ATM Fazle Kabir passed the order today and fixed September 30 for his opening trial. Quasem Ali allegedly was a key leader of Chittagongs Al Badr unit and also featured prominently in the national Al Badr structure. On May 16, the prosecution submitted formal chargees against him before ICT-1.

court stayed the deportation. Bali became traceless after been abducted from the gates of the Tribunal on November 5, 2012, minutes before giving deposition on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islamis nayeb-e-amir Delwar Hossain Sayedee . In a report on May 16, Bangladesh daily New Age first revealed that Sukharanjan Bali had been abducted from the court premises in a police van and was taken to an office in Dhaka where he remained in illegal

detention for six weeks before being handed over to Indias Border Security Force near the end of December 2012 . Sukharanjan had been detained in different Indian jails for over four months before he was being held in Dum Dum Correctional Home in Kolkata . The Indian Supreme Court order on Sukharanjan was passed after additional solicitor general Indira Jaising gave an assurance that the government would not take any steps to send him back for two

4 September: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 indicted Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali on 14 charges for his alleged involvement in the

Jamaat protests over voter list exclusion

Jamaat protests over voter list exclusion September 4: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami observed its predeclared demonstration program across the country on Wednesday protesting the government conspiracy to axe the top Jamaat leaders from the electoral process. People of all walks supported the peaceful demonstration and expressed their no confidence upon the government as the authority is trying to crush its political dissidents just to stay in power. Dhaka city unit Jamaat boright out a procession at Bata signal area of the Elephant road of the capital. When the rally was crossing the signal point, suddenly a police van reached at the spot. Without any instigation police started to baton charge to disperse the rally. Jamaat activists also tried to resist the police obstruction. At one stage two sides locked into clash. Police picked up seven people from the spot. Police had to fire gunshots and teargas canisters to disperse the activists, said Yasin Araft, officerin-charge of New Market Police Station. No injury was reported in the chase and counter-chase. A staff of Bata Showroom is among the detainees, Murad, a salesman of the showroom, claimed. Besides, 9 Jamaat actrivists became injured in the police attack. Police also tried to create bar against the Jamaats procession and rallies nationwide. Defying the obstruction, the party workers observed the demonstration program peacefully. Addressing those programs, the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami condemns the government conspiracy to exclude the top party leaders from the voter list. They also demanded immediate release of the detained leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir. The Jamaat leaders claim they will resist the government blue print conspiracy to exclude Jamaat from the election by all means.

HRW questions Azam verdict

16 August: The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has questioned the trial process of Jamaat-e-Islamis guru and a warcrimes convict Ghulam Azam, an observation which has been viewed by Law Minister Shafique Ahmed as interference in a subjudiced matter. In a statement on Friday, the human right groups Asia Director Brad Adams said, We sounded the alarm that the law and trial process were deficient, but the government ignored the warnings. The government has got the conviction it wanted, but it has failed to ensure a fair trial that settles once and for all whether Ghulam Azam was guilty. Human Rights Watch in the statement titled Bangladesh: Azam Conviction Based on Flawed Proceedings listed five flaws on the Ghulam Azams trial. These are: Judges improperly conducted an investigation on behalf of the prosecution, collusion and bias among prosecutors and judges, failure to take steps to protect defense witnesses, changes in the trial court panel and lack of evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. HRW says, Among the most serious problems is the fact that the judges stated that they conducted an investigation to make up for deficiencies in the case presented by the prosecution. Judges in Bangladesh are only empowered to examine the evidence placed in front of them by the parties to the case. The defense counsel was not aware of this investigation and was thus unable to comment on or challenge the evidence obtained by the judges, which constitutes a serious violation of article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bangladesh is a party. The investigation calls into serious question the impartiality of the court. The ICT had not answered allegations of judicial bias raised by intercepted Skype and other communications in which The a Bangladeshi expatriate war

Economist revealed prohibited collusion between the judiciary, the prosecution, and the executive branch via an external consultant, the HRW statement further added. The HRW mentioned the controversy over former International Crimes Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Nizamul Huqs alleged Skype conversation with

crimes expert. Huq had resigned on December 11 last year following the controversy. HRW Asia Director Brad Adams in the statement said, The problems with the Azam trial are manifold, and lead to the inescapable conclusion that there has been strong judicial bias towards the prosecution and grave violations of due process rights.

Bangladesh in political darkness

Countrys political crisis is getting complicated to the extent that leaves no easy way out as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday 3 Sepetember unveiled her election plan and the opposition 18-party alliance rejected it outright on the very next day as a blueprint for perpetuating power. Sheikh Hasina said the tenth parliament election would be held between October 27 and January 24 next with both parliament and cabinet remaining in existence, but almost without performing any major task. The BNP-led opposition alliance rejected the proposal, insisting that election must be held under a neutral interim government. As both the ruling and the opposition parties are sticking to their respective stands, an easy and peaceful solution to the political deadlock over the poll-time government remains as impossible as ever before. And this grim prospect raises the fear of an unavoidable political clash before the polls. The crux of the political standoff is that the opposition is ready to accept nothing less than an election under a non-party caretaker government and the ruling party is equally resolute not to restore the caretaker system scrapped by it through the 15th amendment to the constitution. Against this backdrop, there is no meeting point between the two sides and the only eventuality which remains for them is that either of the two will lose the political battle leaving the other the victorious. For now the question is which side will winthe AL by holding the election as planned by the PM or the BNP by resisting it and forcing the government into restoring the caretaker system through mass movement. BNP standing committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia said the incumbent Awami League government has amended Article 123 (3) of the constitution to hold election 90 days prior to dissolution of parliament. Nowhere in the world is election held during the continuance of the previous parliament. The government has changed the law to hold polls under it, he added. He said as all political parties will be deprived of equal footing in contesting the polls, opposition BNP will boycott and resist it. Prof Dr Al Masud Hasanuzzaman of Government and Politics Department of Jahangirnagar University regretted that the two major partiesAwami League and BNPstick to their guns on caretaker government issue. PMs plan is not violation of the constitution. But such polls, if boycotted by major opposition BNP, will not be credible. There is no hope to solve the standoff either.Yet the nation is optimistic about any eleventh-hour magic, he said. Noted lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Haque said the time of next elections mentioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in line with the constitution. Although the premier said the parliament will not be dissolved, she did not say anything about the head of the government. So, AL and BNP should choose a neutral person in this regard.

Tribunals irresponsible lies about extradition request

London: Defence Team for UK national Chowdhury-Mueen Uddin condemn Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal as underhand and irresponsible in their lies about extradition approach to UK government. Commenting on this issue Toby Cadman said: It is regrettable that the Tribunal judges took the rather extraordinary step to conduct the trial in absentia and not to pursue extradition. The Government of Bangladesh will be mindful of the fact that any extradition request will not be promptly determined, some requests take years, and that it would not be concluded during the present Governments mandate. There is also the risk that a British Court refusing extradition based on human rights concerns would add to the mountain of criticism that the Government and Tribunal already face. This certainly speaks volumes as to the bona fide intent and tends to indicate a desire for a sensational, albeit political, victory, rather than any desire to pursue justice through independent and impartial trials. The document submitted to the UK Prime minister, whilst Mr Mueen-Uddins trial continues in absentia in Bangladesh, is both underhand and irresponsible. The United Kingdom is not permitted to extradite a person where they are at risk of the death penalty clearly a barrier in the present case. The numerous concerns that have been raised as to the fairness of proceedings in Bangladesh by a host of independent sources would have a direct impact on any English Court considering an extradition request. It is therefore highly unlikely that an extradition request would be successful. The manner in which the Government of Bangladesh has curtailed any form of criticism by human rights groups, such as the arrest of a leading Bangladeshi human rights activist and the recent attack on Human Rights Watch bears painful testimony to the autocratic rule of the present Government. The British Government is now being requested to hand over Mr. Mueen-Uddin so that he may face trial despite the fact that no request has been made and he is being tried in his absence. It would have been more appropriate for the Nirmul Committee to have petitioned the Government of Bangladesh and inquired as to why they have not requested his extradition. This matter was first raised in the late 1990s and the British authorities, namely the Crown

Barrister Toby Cadman Prosecution Service, Metropolitan Police and the FCO Legal Department, all advised that there was no proper basis upon which to charge Mr. Mueen-Uddin under English law. It is unlikely that the position has changed since that time. Secondly, it is now highly likely that a British Court would rule, once his trial in absentia has ended, that double jeopardy attaches and therefore no new prosecution might now be brought in the UK.

2 Jamaat leaders summoned for alleged Contempt of Court

05 August 2013: The High Court on Monday summoned acting secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami Rafiqul Islam Khan and another central leader Mohammad Ibrahim for making rejecting the High Courts verdict and deemed it as politically motivated. The Jamaat leaders on August 1 issued a statement saying that the HC verdict, which declared the Jamaats registration with the Election Commission illegal, is a reflection of the government will. The verdict is a political conspiracy against Jamaat, the leaders said in the statement. The HC on Monday received a copy of the statement from senior Supreme Court lawyer Masood Reza Sobhan. They will have to appear before an HC bench on September 16 to explain why contempt of court proceeding should not be brought against them for issuing such statement. Later, the vacation bench of the HC of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain issued a rule upon the Jamaat leaders asking them to appear before an HC bench which has jurisdiction to deal with contempt of court rule. Barrister Sobhan told the court that the Jamaat leaders have challenged the authorities and the jurisdiction of the highest court by making this statement. He prayed to the court to pass necessary orders against them.

No plan to ban any party now: Ashraf

secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said Saturday . LGRD minister Syed Asraf said, The government doesnt plan to ban any political party. The High Court declared registration of the Jamaat-e-Islami illegal as it failed to comply with conditions of registration. If Jamaat can convince the court and the election commission after fulfilling necessary conditions, the party will be able to get its registration back,

7 Shibir men hurt in Jessore

06 September 2013: At least seven activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir were injured in a bomb attack allegedly by local Jubo League men at Navaran Bazar in Sharsha upazila on Friday morning. Officer-in-charge of Sharsha Police Station Abdul Jalil said when a group of Shibir activists brought out a procession in the bazaar area, some Jubo League activists swooped on it. They hurled several hand bombs targeting the procession, leaving seven Shibir men injured. Of the injured, Sufian, Abul Hossain, Abdul Hai and Hosnera were admitted to local hospitals. On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control. Police recovered a live bomb and some homemade weapons from the spot. Police on the other hand detained four injured Shibir men, instead of arresting the Juba League hooligans.

August 3, 2013: The government at present doesnt have any plan to impose ban on a political party, Awami League general

Give up blue print of holding one- sided election-Rafiqul Islam Khan

13 September, 2013: Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan in a statement protested governments plan to put the nation towards anarchy and uncertainty by holding a unilateral election keeping the incumbent parliament, cabinet and Prime Minister in the office. Mr. Khan said that , I am vehemently protesting the blue print design of the government to put the nation towards anarchy and uncertainty by holding a unilateral election keeping the incumbent parliament, cabinet and Prime Minister in the office. By mulling this effort, the ruling authority has taken a dangerous and devastating step. The countrymen will not let the government to hold such election. The Speaker of the Parliament at the onset of the running session, asserted to hold next national election within the timeframe of 25th October to 24th January keeping the incumbent parliament in function. Her controversial declaration has surprised all quarters of people including the constitutional expert. The speakers declaration once again proved her partisan position. She simply echoes the previous announcement of the Prime Minister. The Speaker has no responsibility to declare the road map for holding election; it is the natural task of the election commission. The governments top brasses are delivering anti constitutional statement to take the nation towards anarchy in order to foil the scheduled election just to stay more in power. The oppositions 18 party alliances will not allow an election keeping the incumbent parliament, cabinet and Prime Minister in the office. The people will not take part in such election; rather they will resist it. I am urging the government to restore caretaker government and to shut down the controversial tribunal.

No time limit for verdict execution

Abdul Quader Mollah, Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed has said. He, however, said the verdict would be executed soon. This came as he was speaking to journalists at the secretariat Tuesday soon after pronouncement of the verdict. This verdict has fulfilled peoples expectations. A review petition cant be filed against the verdict. However, the convict can make confessional statement and seek presidential pardon. It will be unprecedented if such an offender is pardoned, Ahmed said. This verdict will create and will remain as a milestone. Earlier in the day, the appellate division of the Supreme Court (SC) sentenced Mollah to death for his involvement in wartime offences. A five-member SC bench led by Chief Justice Md Mozammel Hossain pronounced the verdict.

Law Minster Shafique Ahmed Dhaka, 17 September: Theres no time limit for execution of the verdict in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general

Police on arrest spree as people protest unjust verdict

Dhaka, 17 Sep. 13: Government started a campaign of terror across the country after people came out in the street to protest the politically motivated trial of Abdul Quader Mollah. Police arrested 100s of Jamaat-Shibir activists denying their democratic right to hold protest procession. Police attacked peaceful procession at Sirajgonj Police attacked un-provocatively the activists of Jamaat-e-Islami in Sirajganj after they brought out a protest procession at the district head quarter to express their dissatisfaction over Supreme Courts verdict sentencing the partys leader Abdul Quader Molla to death on Tuesday in a political show trial. Sadar station OC Rafiqul Islam said Jamaat and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir took out a surprise procession at the towns EB road at 1pm. Police obstructed the procession when it reached 'Bhashani Milonayoton' area. However eye witnessed confirmed that police tried to disperse the protesters by firing tear shells and rubber bullets. Jamaat-Shibir rally in Rajshahi Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir in Rajshahi have reacted to the death sentence given to the partys acting secretary general Abdul Qauder Molla by bringing out unannounced processions. Leaders and activists took out a procession in the citys New Market area at 11am on Tuesday culminating at the Kadirganj crossing. They held a brief street rally there and fled before police could reach the spot. There were processions in Talaimari and Kajla, where the participants shouted slogans demanding the release of their leaders imprisoned on political ground. Jamaat and Shibir activists marched in three places of the city after learning of the verdict against Molla, said Rajshahi metropolitans detective police OC Alamgir Hossain. But we kept a close watch; so, they could not create any chaos. Police made arbitrary arrest at Dhaka Police arrested nine activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the

A police car was torched in Chittagog by unknown men student outfit of Jamaat-e-Islami, to prevent any anti-government protest. Sub-Inspector Jewel Debnath told a web based newspaper of Bangladesh, they were nabbed from the capitals Paltan area as police felt they were preparing to stage a protest. The law enforcement official of Paltan police station, however, did not reveal identities of the detainees. Several detained at Chittagong Activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami burst into protests in Chittagong after the apex court sentenced the partys Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Molla to death in a political show trial. The Jamaat supporters took out a procession in the port city minutes after the verdict. The procession started from the citys Teen Pole and moved towards Enaet Bazar where activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaats student front, chanted anti-government slogan. Police fired rubber bullets while Jamaat-Shibir activists answered the unprovoked attack by throwing stone at the police. Two policemen had been injured during the clashes and three protesters had been detained. The area had become quiet after the incident.

Human Rights Group Odhikar Leader arrested

different nations also expressed their concern that include Khaleda Zia, EU and USA. UN Human Rights Commission urged the government to release Human Right Activists Adilur Rahman. Even Daily Star, leading English daily and an ardent supporter of the government expressed its surprise that Adilur still in prison. Detective police Wednesday 14 August pressed charge sheet against two top officials of Odhikar Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan for allegedly publishing photos of injured Hefazat activists as dead ones to instigate public sentiments. The Detective Branch (DB) submitted the charges against the two executives of Odhikar, a human rights organisation, before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court. After submitting the charge sheet before the CMM court, Dhaka, investigation officer Inspector Ashraful Islam appealed for permission to arrest Elan. Adilur is accused of publishing a report on the crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islams rally in capitals Shapla Chattar area on May 5. The report published on Odhikar website claiming that 61 people were killed during the crackdown when law enforcers in a night operation flashed out thousands of Hefajat leaders and activists who thronged Motijheels Shapla Chattar following a tension-gripped Dhaka seize programme which turned violent. The charges were brought against them under Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act. Since arrest, Adilur has been confined in Kashimpur jail in Gazipur.

Sunday 11 August 2013: Awami League governments repressive measures reached its peak when it moved against even the independent and widely respected human rights group Odhikar. The August 10 surprise arrest of Adilur, secretary of Odhikar, over the Hefazat controversy led to wide criticism and condemnation from human rights groups and

others, both at home and abroad. Elan is director of Odhikar. Human Right activists and organizations of home and abroad condemned the arrest that includes Dr.Mohammad Yunus, Advocate Sultana Kamal, Ain O Salish Kendro, Human Rights Watch Asia, Amensty International. Political leaders and parties and

Human Rights Watch warned

DHAKA, Sept 2: A special tribunal dealing with war crimes involving Bangladeshs independence struggle on Monday asked an international rights group to explain why it shouldnt be charged with contempt of court for comments it made about a recent ruling. Last month, the New York-based group issued a statement saying the trial of a former leader of an Islamist party, Ghulam Azam, was deeply flawed and did not meet international standards. The statement also alleged the judges had improperly conducted an investigation on behalf of the prosecution and mentioned collusion and bias among prosecutors and judges. Mr Azam was sentenced to 90 years in jail for war crimes. Both the defence and prosecution have appealed the verdict. US Ambassador in Bangladesh Dan Mozena expressed concern last month over the prosecutors move. He said an organisation like Human Rights Watch has a critical role to play.

Jamaat Called 48 Hours strike

Dhaka, 17 September 2013: Dhaka: Jamaat-e-Islami has imposed a 48-hour non-stop shutdown programme from Wednesday in protest at the death sentence handed down to the partys assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Mollah for his involvement in wartime offences. This came as the party issued a statement Tuesday noon. Jamaat claims their high-profile leaders have been the victim of political conspiracy and are being sentenced unfairly. Earlier in the day, the appellate division of the Supreme Court (SC) awarded Mollah death penalty for his wartime offences. This so far is the first final verdict in war crimes cases being dealt with so far. A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Md Mozammel Hossain pronounced the verdict. Meanwhile, chief defence counsel Barrister Abdur Razzak, in an instant reaction to the verdict, said a review petition would be filed against the death sentence. We will wait for the final copy of the verdict. Then we will file review petition within 30 days, Razzak said. Branding the verdict as wrong, he said: We are surprised at the verdict. We think this goes against justice. Attorney General Mahbub-e Alam, however, said no review petition could be filed. The convict can only beg for his life and seek presidential pardon, Alam said. This is a special law. The law was made after bringing amendment to the constitution in 1973 to try offenders accused of war crimes. This law doesnt permit a review and is protected by the constitution, Alam told journalists while promptly reacting to Tuesdays verdict. A central leader said that Jamaat decided to enforce the hartal in protest against the governments oppression and torture on the party leaders across the country. Other reasons include restoration of the caretaker government system and release of our leaders, the leader said.

EU delegation meets Jamaat over polls

the main reason of the prevailing political crisis. Led by William Hanna, EU ambassador to Bangladesh, the team met with Jamaat leaders at Gulshan as a part of its series of meetings with political party leaders regarding the polls. Hanna later told reporters that they would hold talks with civil society leaders after meetings with political parties. Asked about the discussion, Jamaats Working Committee member Syed Abdullah Md Taher told the Dhaka Tribune that the issues of war crimes trials and release of their leaders facing trial had also been discussed during the meeting. Razzaque, also the chief counsel for party leaders facing trails for crimes against humanity, told reporters: Dialogue between the political parties is a must to form a non-partisan caretaker government in the present context of Bangladesh. On Jamaats registration, he said: It is a sub judice matter. It will be resolved in the court. But, Jamaat is still a registered political party.

EU Delegation Meets Jamaat Leaders Thursday, 12 September: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami expressed their resolve to participate in the next general election if a level-playing field was assure, said Assistant Secretary General

Abdur Razzaque after a meeting with seven strong visiting European Union delegation. Jamaat thinks governments arrogant refusal to discuss and agree a type of poll-time government is

International Criminal Court to probe Hasinas crimes against Humanity

London, 13 September: The Internationla Criminal Court will probe in to the allegation that Bangladesh Prime Minster commiitted crime against humanity while dealing with political oppositions. A letter signed by M P Dillon, Head of the Information & Evidence Unit of the Office of the Prosecutor of ICC says that it will look in to the allegation that Bangaldeshi officials are guilty of killing its own citizens on political ground. Bangaldesh is a signing partner of the ICC which is bound to follow rules set out by the organisations charter. Barrister Abu Bakar Molla filed the complain on behalf of the familiy members of the killed. A total of 5 counts of charges was brought which are: a) Count 1 (Murder Constituting a Crime against Humanity) b) Count 2 (Torture Constituting a Crime Against Humanity) c) Count 3 (Enforced Disappearance Constituting a Crime Against Humanity): d) Count 4 (Other Inhumane Acts Constituting a Crime Against Humanity) e) Count 5 (Persecution Constituting a Crime against Humanity) In the detail complain Barrister Molla said in his plea that It is not alleged that she is guilty of personally committing these acts, but she is responsible for the actions of the subordinate ministers and forces under her effective authority and control. As Prime Minister, head of state and leader of parliament, Sheikh Hasina was in a superior/subordinate relationship to all forces in Bangladesh. The evidence shows that she took no steps to stop it rather she instigated or ordered. She was therefore responsible under Article 28(b) of the Rome Prosecutor must consider whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court have been committed, the gravity of the crimes, whether national systems are investigating and prosecuting the relevant crimes, and the interests of justice. Analysis will be carried out as expeditiously as possible, but please be aware that meaningful analysis of these factors can take some time. As soon as a decision is taken on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation, we will advise you promptly and we will provide reasons for the decision.

ICC
Statute for crimes committed by her subordinates. Acknowledging Barrister Abu Baker Mollahs complain, the ICC wrote, The Office is analyzing the situation identified in your communication, with the assistance of other related communications and other available information. Under Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the

Editor: Ahmed Kamal. Published by Sadek Abdullah on behalf of Centre for Bangladesh Studies, London. 116 Cavell Street London E1 2JA. Phone: 020772183426. Email: info.centreforbangladesh@gmail.com