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Bangladesh braced for protests after Islamist leader's execution Bangladesh braced for protests after Islamist leader's execution
(about 2 hours later)
Security forces in Bangladesh are braced for protests following the execution of an Islamist political leader on charges of crimes against humanity during the country’s 1971 independence war.Security forces in Bangladesh are braced for protests following the execution of an Islamist political leader on charges of crimes against humanity during the country’s 1971 independence war.
Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, 62, an assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was found guilty by a special tribunal of heading a militia group that was behind a massacre of at least 120 unarmed farmers during the conflict.Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, 62, an assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was found guilty by a special tribunal of heading a militia group that was behind a massacre of at least 120 unarmed farmers during the conflict.
Up to three million people are said to have died in the war in which Bangladesh won its freedom from Pakistan, though the figure is disputed by historians. As many as three million people are said to have died in the war in which Bangladesh won its freedom from Pakistan, though historians dispute the figure.
Imran Sarkar, who started a movement calling for the trial of war criminals in February 2012, said: “Today is a victory for us. We made the tribunal, tried the war crimes accused and secured justice. We hope to see the rule of law established by the trial. We want a just society.”Imran Sarkar, who started a movement calling for the trial of war criminals in February 2012, said: “Today is a victory for us. We made the tribunal, tried the war crimes accused and secured justice. We hope to see the rule of law established by the trial. We want a just society.”
In December 2013 the hanging of another Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Abdul Quader Mollah, who had been found guilty by the tribunal of killing intellectuals, prompted widespread unrest in Bangladesh.In December 2013 the hanging of another Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Abdul Quader Mollah, who had been found guilty by the tribunal of killing intellectuals, prompted widespread unrest in Bangladesh.
Kamaruzzaman was hanged on Saturday night in the central jail in Dhaka, a senior prison official told reporters. He was buried early on Sunday under tight security, according to his brother, Kafil Uddin. Kamaruzzaman was hanged on Saturday night in Dhaka’s central jail, a senior prison official told reporters. He was buried early on Sunday under tight security, according to his brother, Kafil Uddin.
Jamaat-e-Islami denounced the execution as an act of “revenge and pre-planned murder” and called for a countrywide general strike on Sunday.Jamaat-e-Islami denounced the execution as an act of “revenge and pre-planned murder” and called for a countrywide general strike on Sunday.
Kamaruzzaman’s lawyers argued during his trial that he was only 19 when the nine-month war broke out and was too young to have led any militia against independence. Three women who lost their husbands testified against Kamaruzzaman. Kamaruzzaman’s lawyers argued during his trial that he was only 19 when the nine-month war broke out and was too young to have led any militia against independence.
Three women who lost their husbands testified against Kamaruzzaman.
“All 32 widows who are still alive are happy the notorious killer has been hanged. Finally we got justice,” said Mohammad Jalal Uddin, a farmer who lost seven members of his extended family in the killing.“All 32 widows who are still alive are happy the notorious killer has been hanged. Finally we got justice,” said Mohammad Jalal Uddin, a farmer who lost seven members of his extended family in the killing.
The trials have been criticised widely by international human rights groups. “The execution of Mr Kamaruzzaman has taken place following a trial which has been widely recognised as being deeply flawed” Shishir Manir, legal counsel to Kamaruzzaman, told the Guardian. The trials have been criticised by international human rights groups. “The execution of Mr Kamaruzzaman has taken place following a trial which has been widely recognised as being deeply flawed” Shishir Manir, legal counsel to Kamaruzzaman, told the Guardian.
The tribunal was set up in 2010 by the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League and daughter of the wartime leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to “secure justice for victims of the 1971 conflict and heal the rifts of the civil war era”. The tribunal was set up in 2010 by the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who is the leader of the Awami League and the daughter of the wartime leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to “secure justice for victims of the 1971 conflict and heal the rifts of the civil war era”.
There is significant support for the trials in Bangladesh. On Saturday night, organisers of a youth movement demanding execution of alleged war criminals of 1971 briefly assembled in the centre of Dhaka to celebrate the execution. There is significant support for the trials in Bangladesh. On Saturday night, organisers of a youth movement demanding the execution of alleged war criminals assembled briefly in the centre of Dhaka to celebrate the hanging.
“We are happy that justice has been delivered finally,” said Mohammad al-Masum, a student at Dhaka University, who joined a procession in Shabagh Square. “I did not see the war but I am sure the families that lost their dear ones will be happy today.” “We are happy that justice has been delivered finally,” said Mohammad al-Masum, a student at Dhaka University, who joined a procession in Shabagh Square. “I did not see the war, but I am sure the families that lost their dear ones will be happy today.”
Hasina, the prime minister, has vowed to continue the trials despite pressure from abroad and the opposition at home. The Jamaat-e-Islami party, which garners 2-3% of the popular vote, has been weakened significantly as most of its senior leaders have been convicted. Hasina has vowed to continue the trials despite pressure from abroad and opposition at home. Jamaat-e-Islami, which garners 2-3% of the popular vote, has been weakened significantly as most of its senior leaders have been convicted.
Last week the UN high commissioner for human rights, Ravina Shamdasani, urged Bangladesh not to carry out Kamaruzzman’s execution, saying that his trial did not meet international standards. Last week the UN high commissioner for human rights, Ravina Shamdasani, urged Bangladesh not to execute Kamaruzzman, saying that his trial did not meet international standards.
The US was more guarded in its assessment of the trial, but still urged the government not to proceed with the execution. “We have seen progress, but still believe that further improvements … could ensure these proceedings meet domestic and international obligations,” said the state department spokeswoman Marie Harf.The US was more guarded in its assessment of the trial, but still urged the government not to proceed with the execution. “We have seen progress, but still believe that further improvements … could ensure these proceedings meet domestic and international obligations,” said the state department spokeswoman Marie Harf.
The initial trials that followed Bangladesh’s independence four decades ago were halted after the assassination of Rahman, the then president, and most of his family members in a 1975 military coup. His daughter Hasina revived the process, making good on a pledge she made before elections in 2008.The initial trials that followed Bangladesh’s independence four decades ago were halted after the assassination of Rahman, the then president, and most of his family members in a 1975 military coup. His daughter Hasina revived the process, making good on a pledge she made before elections in 2008.
The hanging is expected to deepen a months-long political crisis during which Islamists and the main opposition party have held nationwide protests to try to topple Hasina.The hanging is expected to deepen a months-long political crisis during which Islamists and the main opposition party have held nationwide protests to try to topple Hasina.
At least five other Jamaat leaders have been sentenced to death and their appeals are being heard in the supreme court.At least five other Jamaat leaders have been sentenced to death and their appeals are being heard in the supreme court.
Historians still argue over the number of people killed in Bangladesh’s 1971 independence struggle and civil war, which ended after Indian intervention and the collapse of Pakistani resistance. Estimates range from 200,000 to three million. Historians still argue over the number of people killed in Bangladesh’s independence struggle and civil war, which ended after Indian intervention and the collapse of Pakistani resistance. Estimates range from 200,000 to three million.