BNP has refrained from making any official comments on the International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) capital punishment verdict with regard to Md Kamaruzzaman. The ICT found him guilty of committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
The opposition has been demanding the release of all Jamaat and BNP party members accused of war crimes, including Kamaruzzaman, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP’s main political ally in the 18-party opposition coalition.
At a press briefing on Thursday at the BNP’s Naya Paltan office, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, advisor to Khaleda Zia and designated media spokesperson, declined to make any official statements on the verdict.
In response to reporters’ queries he clarified: “The verdict has just been given. We will see the documents, what was submitted and accepted by the court, and on what basis the sentence was given. We will scrutinise all the information and then respond.”
He reiterated the BNP’s demand for the trials to be conducted according to international standards. He also raised a point regarding the foreign minister’s description of the court as domestic.
Dudu observed: “Now it is necessary to clarify whether it is an international or domestic tribunal.”
In February this year, the ruling Awami League led government added a provision to the International War Crimes Tribunal Act, allowing for the Islamist party to be put on trial. Jamaat took a stance against the independence movement in 1971.
At a rally in Chapainawabganj, the BNP chairperson demanded the release of all those arrested. She said the trials are “politically motivated” and the accused - including erstwhile Jamaat Ameer Ghulam Azam, executive council member Matiur Rahman Nizami, BNP’s SQ Chowdhury and Abdul Alim – are not guilty of war crimes.
Alim is the only one among the accused to be granted bail by the tribunal because of his advanced age and frail physical condition.