Ruling Awami League has termed the Jatiya Oikya Front’s promise to continue the trial of war criminal as a mockery with the nation.
They also blamed the Jatiya Oikya Front leaders including Dr Kamal Hossain for reintegrating Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh politics.
“Dr Kamal and other Oikya Front leaders gave Jamaat second life and reintegrated them into politics when the party became lifeless after losing its registration as a political party. Leaders of Oikya Front have now become a part of Jamaat’s political ambition,” Awami League Presidium Member Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya said.
He also claimed that Dr Kamal’s promise to continue the trial of war crimes is also farce with the martyrs of Liberation War.
In a landmark ruling in 2013, the High Court had declared Jamaat’s registration with the Election Commission “illegal and void,” while observing that the registration was unlawfully done and the party’s charter contained elements contrary to the constitution and election rules of Bangladesh.
Dr Kamal Hossain-led political alliance unveiled their election manifesto on Monday for the upcoming general election.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman said: “23 Jamaat leaders and leaders of Jatiya Oikya Front both are contesting the election with the same symbol (sheaf of paddy) and trying to reintegrate them into politics. How then they will continue the war criminals trial when they are sheltering them?” Rahman questioned.
“Jaitya Oikya Front leaders are making false promises of trial of war criminals to get people’s sympathy and votes. It is nothing but a clear mockery, a farce for the people of Bangladesh.”
Awami League leaders also termed Jatiya Oikya Front’s claim to build a corruption free country a “ridiculous one.”
Bangladesh had ranked 1st place for corruption during three consecutive years of BNP-Jamaat rule, they said.
“During their period, BNP leaders had opened shops of corruption at Hawa Bhaban. Even their top two leaders have been convicted in corruption cases along with several senior leaders. Now their promise against corruption is a political strategy to get votes,” said Rahman.
During the 2008 general election, the Awami League pledged to try the war criminals if it takes office. It won the race with an over two-thirds majority in parliament. It took the government a little over a year to set up the trial process.
Since the International Crimes Tribunal’s inception in March 25, 2010, the tribunals have delivered judgments in 34 cases against 83 war criminals. Among them, 52 were sentenced to death.
The court has handed down death penalty and life sentence to several senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and the Election Commission cancelled Jamaat’s registration as a political party for its involvement with war crimes after a High Court order.
