Bangladesh sets up 1971 war crimes tribunal

[IBRIS]

The Bangladeshi government has set up a tribunal to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes during the country's war of independence in 1971.

The government says it will put on trial those Bangladeshis who at the time collaborated with Pakistan.

Forces from Pakistan are accused of killing many civilians.

In its doomed bid to suppress independence 39 years ago, Pakistan's army unleashed terror against those suspected of supporting secession.

Many were killed and millions fled the country.

But the army was not acting alone.

It was helped by many locals, including members of the religious Jamaat-e-Islami party.

They formed militia which allegedly helped identify victims and also took part in the killings.

Their leaders were absolved after the war and are now prominent opposition figures.

The government wants to put them on trial, but they claim they are innocent and that this is a political move.
BBC News - Bangladesh sets up 1971 war crimes tribunal

 

[Jackdaws]

I say let bygones be bygones. Look at South Africa - they have been quite successful in not acting in a vengeful manner against the Caucasians who treated the native blacks as little better than animals. 40 years in a long time - the man who 25 years old then is 65 now. Surely, it is not worth it anymore.

 

[nwmalik]

typical south asian mindset. Wont let the past be past.

 

[Icarus]

The Bangladeshi government has set up a tribunal to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes during the country's war of independence in 1971.

The government says it will put on trial those Bangladeshis who at the time collaborated with Pakistan.

Forces from Pakistan are accused of killing many civilians.

In its doomed bid to suppress independence 39 years ago, Pakistan's army unleashed terror against those suspected of supporting secession.

Many were killed and millions fled the country.

But the army was not acting alone.

It was helped by many locals, including members of the religious Jamaat-e-Islami party.

They formed militia which allegedly helped identify victims and also took part in the killings.

Their leaders were absolved after the war and are now prominent opposition figures.

The government wants to put them on trial, but they claim they are innocent and that this is a political move.
BBC News - Bangladesh sets up 1971 war crimes tribunal

Most of the Bengalis loyal to Pakistan were either killed in reprisals by Mukti Bahini or they fled to Pakistan. Who are they hoping to present in court, i'm pretty sure we are not going to extradite our Bengali population.

As for the author, all this talk of massacres is too one sided, what about the massacre of Bengalis loyal to Pakistan carried out by Mukti Bahini with the Blessings of the Indian Army ?

 

[Al-zakir]

Instead of uniting the nation for prosperity, AL busy dividing the nation toward small scale civil war...Low lives...

 

[Jackdaws]

I guess there might be internal political reasons too. It's still a pretty silly thing to do.

 

[ajpirzada]

typical politics. those people who cooperated with pakistan back then will already be reaching their death bed. why make life even more miserable for them - knowing they have already faced enough discrimination - only to polish your political coins.