>Dhaka briefs UN chief about growing demand for UN role to try war criminals

>FOREIGN Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has informed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of a “popular sentiment” for involving the UN in the process for trying war criminals of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, Julfikar Ali Manik and Rashidul Hasan write in The Daily Star. (Read full report)
Calling on the UN secretary general at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, Iftekhar told him that there is a growing demand for the trial of the war criminals, said a press release of the permanent mission of Bangladesh to the UN.
Following the unprecedented move, war heroes, eminent citizens and members of martyrs’ families yesterday told The Daily Star that the government should formally request the UN for its involvement in the trial process.
They said the government should take initiatives to try the war criminals without delay and the UN should come forward.
The issue of trying the war criminals had been discussed in various international forums including the UN Human Rights Commission but this is the first time in 37 years since Bangladesh’s independence that the government officially informed the top UN official of the demand.
Experts said the government should not limit its initiative to only informing the UN secretary general of the issue; it should ensure UN’s involvement in holding the trial of the war criminals.
Deputy chief of Liberation Forces Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker in his reaction told The Daily Star last night that raising the issue before the UN top boss through the foreign adviser indicates the government’s positive attitude towards it.
“But I think the government must take it up to the UN absolutely formally for its help as did Cambodia and other countries,” said Khandker, also president of Sector Commanders Forum. He said he hopes that the UN will respond positively.

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