Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday that the party welcomes the government's move to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to put the Awami League on trial as a political party.
“A historic event took place in the national life of Bangladesh yesterday. I have already welcomed those who played the crucial role in this regard,” Salahuddin said during a discussion in the auditorium of the International Mother Language Institute.
“I also welcome the interim government's move to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to bring the Awami League into the trial process as a political party.”
Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said he, on behalf of the party, placed the demand for the trial of the Awami League for committing mass killings and crimes against humanity through the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act on February 5.
He said the party, on different occasions, also made the demand following the desire of the country’s people.
“Why does the BNP have to go to Shahbagh to place this demand? We raised this demand as a party in many places and the people of Bangladesh wanted it. We met the chief adviser on February 10 and gave that proposal in writing,” Salahuddin said.
He said that had the chief adviser taken the matter into consideration at that time, it would not have led to the embarrassing situation of the last two days.
The BNP leader said there are precedents in different countries of the world where fascist parties have been brought to justice as parties responsible for genocide and banned.
“There are examples of this all over the world. So I welcome the announcement that the interim government will ensure the trial of the Awami League through legal processes, even if it is late,” he added.
Claiming that people across the country are eager to vote in the next parliamentary election, the BNP leader said: “For that, we have called upon the chief adviser to announce a roadmap for the next election soon. Otherwise, such an embarrassing situation may arise again.”
