Roadblock in Trying the War Criminals – Change the Roadmap, if needed and solve the problem
AL has done enough politics about this issue. It should not be allowed to continue to do that. Moreover, it's already overdue.
To Awami League the issue of trying the war criminals has always been an issue of cost-benefit analysis in their politics. In the absence of matured leadership which is also honest, the party that has led the war of liberation in 1971, has also been the cause of many of our miseries in recent years. They have sabotaged the issue of trying the war criminals before and they will sabotage this cause again, it seems. But we think, the current interim government should not allow that to happen.
In the days when Shohid Jononi Jahanara Imam led Gono Adalot Movement, Bangladesh Awami Leage leaders have shared the stage with Shohid Jononi on occasions, and at the same time, they have cut deal with Jamat-e-Islami. What Zia couldn't do, i.e. to mainstream JI into Bangladeshi politics, BAL helped JI to do exactly that.
The issue of war criminals is something that helps AL politically only if it stays unresolved, it seems. So they did what is helpful for their politics. Trying the War Criminals was not worth the cost for BAL. So they did not make any attempts to do that when they eventually got to power.
Today, the issue of trying the war criminals is getting momentum again. AL is surely planning another sabotage – make no mistake. Seems like they are trying to use the Dhaka University teachers' issue as a tool of their sabotage tactic. If it doesn't work, they will look for something else - be sure about that.
You may ask, didn't BAL initiated this demand this time? Yes, that's true. They started to talk about this issue again - for the same reason that they sabotaged it last time. They wanted to keep this problem alive so they can use this when they need it. Now is the time when they need it. They need to raise this issue to embarrass the interim government.
We, like many, opposed it initially. Why? Because, we question the intention of AL. There is another side of the story. If this interim government focuses on this issue, they will be distracted of their original mission that they have committed to (a time bound road map).
But increasingly, the importance of the issue is being felt every corner of the country and around the world. Moreover, this is being felt by many people that this issue should be resolved now, since otherwise, AL and BNP will continue to play politics with this important issue without resolving it - just like they have been playing with many other national issues.
Recognizing the ground realities, the interim government is giving signals that there is recognition of the problem as a problem. The head of the government and his advisers has spoken openly about it. However, their opinions have been restrained so far which is an indication of the enormousness of the problem and underlying challenges. It seems they are judging the current of the society. But make no mistakes; they will get to the bottom of it if they decide handle it.
We hope that they do it. The only thing that will have to change - may be - they have to change the roadmap a little bit. That is still a may be, but very possible. The roadmap was not a legally bound document in the first place. It is a political promise that is subject to reality. Increasingly, the issue of war criminals will be tied to the issue of election eligibility, too. So, basically, the interim government would find itself cornered unless they take control of the issue. The politicians on the street are changing the goal post for the interim government. Unless the government changes its strategy to adapt to the seemingly changing political current within the populace, there will be a price to pay. The spirit of 1/11 can not be seen as defeated. Otherwise, the corrupts will reign in again.
The politicians have sent a political gauntlet towards you. You have two choices. Accept the challenge. Or suffer.
They are assuming that you will block it. In the event you do not block it, the gauntlet they are sending are ordered to made weak. They are expecting that it will weaken you, but wouldn't kill their political capital - the war criminals. They are trying to create cases to embarrass you and also, legally weak cases are being filed.
Rather you should play the real game. Accept the challenge.
Also, beware! AL is planning to sabotage this issue again. Seems like they are going to play with the people's emotion during the December 14-16 this year. While people in general will be looking to forment positions against war criminals, the party activists are planning to use that emotion and divert it against the interim government. The first shot in that battle has been engaged - see the announcement from DUTA – arguably one of biggest den of morally corrupts in current day Bangladesh. This is still a hypothesis. Hope it does not come true. To avoid that the government should consider doing something in concrete terms. The first game has been already planned, it seems. Make elaborate game plan. It's hard to fight one villain. But it seems that all the villains are getting their hands together.
A good strategy at the moment would be to isolate the issue from the activities of the government. Appoint a panel of citizens who have acceptance among the population. Let that panel suggest you how to proceed with the issue. A good start could be to appoint a three person panel with possible membership of:
1. Muhammad Zamir, the member secretary of the original tribunal that was set by Bongobondhu to try the criminals.
2. Dr. Humayun Ahmed, the eminent writer
3. A prominent justice with expertise in war crimes law
The specific members and the number of people in the panel do not matter. But its important to isolate the problem from the proceedings of your government. At the suggestion of this panel, the future handling of the problem may be decided. If the panel suggest and the Election Commission agrees, the provision of resisting war criminals has to be included in the Election Laws. It makes sense too. Why in the world we should allow the war criminals to run for public office? Off course, the main problem will be deciding who is war criminals and who is not? Let the panel do that. If they need time, there is nothing for the interim government to do but wait. That may indicate that adaptation of the roadmap. But we think the nation would agree with that change - if the panel suggests so.
If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the columinsts in regular traditional media, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence.
Thanks for your time,
Innovation Line
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Note: This is a freelance column, published mainly in different internet based forums. This column is open for contribution by the members of new generation, sometimes referred to as Gen 71. If you identify yourself as someone from that age-group and want to contribute to this column, please feel free to contact. Thanks to the group moderator for publishing the article.
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