London-based human rights group Amnesty International has urged Bangladesh's army-backed interim government to conduct trials of war criminals, ease a year-old state of emergency and protect human rights.
"We hope the present interim government will initiate the process for the trial of the war criminals and the next government will complete the trial," Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, told reporters on Saturday.
"We will also ask the Bangladesh interim government to lift some restrictions under a state of emergency imposed a year ago," said Khan, who arrived Dhaka on Saturday. "These include the restrictions on fair trial, assembly and freedom of expressions."
War crimes during Bangladesh's 1971 war has been a largely dormant issue in the country under successive political governments. But it recently became an issue after alleged war criminals, including leaders of the Jamaat-i-Islami party, stated publicly that "Bangladesh never had an independence war and so had no war criminals".
The remarks triggered widespread protests, including by 1971 war veterans and ex-army generals who demanded the interim authority start the process of trying war criminals. The government has remained quiet on the issue while Jamaat denied any wrongdoing in 1971.
Official records show around three million people died during the 1971. During her five-day visit, Irene will discuss human rights issues with members of the government, leaders of the political parties and civil society, Amnesty officials said.
The interim government took charge in January last year following months of political violence, imposed the emergency and banned political activity and rallies. Headed by former central bank chief Fakhruddin Ahmed, the government has vowed to hold a free, fair and credible election before end of 2008.
But political parties, including the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by detained former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia respectively, want the poll earlier, by July next.
They are also seeking freedom of the two women facing charges of corruption and abuse of power, and expressed fears they might be deprived of justice in trial by special courts.
The interim authority detained more than 170 key politicians including the ex-premiers and dozens of former ministers in a massive anti-corruption drive, which had been widely hailed by all sections of Bangladeshis. But lately, the political parties have voiced concern over likely violation of human rights for the detained leaders.
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