Sheikh Hasina: “Trial of the war criminals is our election pledge. It must be accomplished

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said main opposition BNP chief’s proposed Dhaka rally on March 12 is “designed to protect” war criminals now facing trial for crimes against humanity during the country’s liberation war in 1971.

“Trial of the war criminals is our election pledge. It must be accomplished. I want your co-operation,” she told a public meeting in south-eastern Chittagong yesterday.
Hasina said the Pakistan troops had committed crimes upon the orders of their mentors, but how the sons of soil could commit killing, looting and arson, and hand over women to the Pakistan troops.

Referring to Khaleda Zia’s recent remarks that she would make the government lame and cripple, the prime minister said: “People know it well who is lame and disabled … We will not allow making our people lame and cripple as long as we are alive.”

Hasina said that while in power the BNP government had “maimed and killed” innumerable people, but the trial of those killing and maiming were not held. “Killing of people is in their character.”
She advised her rival to offer apology to the people and promise not to repeat any such sin in the future.
The premier said the government wants to establish peace and security in the country.
Hasina said all elections were held peacefully under her government and people elected their representatives according to their free will. “We have arranged a system ensuring people’s right to vote according to their choice,” she added.

Keywords/Tags: Awame League, bnp, International Crimes Tribunal, war crimes trial