Bangladesh Prepares War Crime Trial

1971 was a year full of bloodshed in Bangladesh. When the Pakistani army and local militia violently suppressed the independence movement, hundreds of thousands of factory workers, farmers, fishermen, villagers as well as intellectuals and politicians were murdered. A large number of women and children were reportedly raped and tortured. Innumerable houses went up in flames across the country.

Justice for the victims

At the time, locally raised militia allegedly took part in the unlawful killings. It is these so-called 'collaborators' that Bangladesh now wants to see prosecuted. The wounds of the past will not heal until the war criminals have been brought to justice, says Imtiaz Ahmed, professor for international relations at Dhaka University. "The stories that we have got from some of the immediate victims are really very traumatizing, and very painful. So when the trial takes place these stories will be told and that will help with the healing process, because the victims, those, whose children have died or parents have died, they have to have justice."

The Awami League which fought for independence in 1971, recently returned to power with a huge majority. The new government is responding to the growing demand from a civil society that wants the war crimes perpetrators investigated and convicted, says Imtiaz Ahmed. "The party knows that it is a difficult task and it is politically also a kind of a risk, but I don’t think they can evade it or postpone it or anything of that kind. They have to deliver. The trial process will start and it takes time. But I believe the government is committed and because of the pressure there is no way out. "

International support

Bangladesh has sought and been assured of assistance from the United Nations for the trial procedures. This is an important step, says Abbas Faiz, South Asia researcher at the human rights organization Amnesty International. He warns against acting too quickly due to the public pressure:

"Investigation, investigation, investigation: That has to come first. It has to be done by people who have the authority to do it, who have the competence to do it. Compiling the evidence after 37 years is a really huge task. It requires expertise that may not be available within the crime investigation agencies of Bangladesh. So it is very important that the UN is involved."

It remains to be worked out who exactly will conduct the investigation, and who is to stand trial. The government has, however, earmarked substantial funds for the trial in its budget.

Pakistan's role

Once this first ever war crimes tribunal in South Asia starts, it is bound to have an impact on the relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, experts say. There will be a lot of discussion about Pakistan’s responsibility for the war crimes. Pakistan disputes the scale of the killings and rapes and has not apologized to Bangladesh.

Nevertheless, international relations specialist Imtiaz Ahmed is optimistic. "The chances are that if the trial is on and if there is some openness in the engagement, the two countries could have a much better relationship and not get trapped in the past, or be imprisoned in the past," he says. Many people in Bangladesh hope that in the course of the procedure Pakistan may join in and help investigate the unlawful killings of 1971.

Author: Ana Lehmann
Editor: Grahame Lucas