Mojaheed, SQ Chy’s execution following legal procedures: Kamal

"We are not doing anything out of the law to execute the death sentences of Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury,” says Kamal. Star file photo

Star Online Report

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that the verdict of convicted war criminals Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury will be executed following the existing legal procedures.
“We are not doing anything deviating from law to execute the death sentences of Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury,” said Kamal while addressing a function held at Bottomley Home Girls' High School in Dhaka this noon.
Terming the war criminals Mojaheed and Salauddin as enemies of the nation and humanity, Kamal said, “We are initiating measures to execute the verdict according to the order given by the country’s apex court in this regard.”
People from all walks of life have welcomed the death verdict of Mojaheed and Salauddin and they want its immediate execution, Kamal added.
“I am bravely telling that such a verdict was our expectation and it is going to be implemented,” he said.
Responding to a query about law and order, he said law enforcement and intelligence agencies will remain alert on the streets to avert any untoward incident over the issue.

Nazmul Huda forms ‘Trinamool BNP’

Star Online Report

Former BNP leader Nazmul Huda. Photo: Star File Photo

Former BNP leader Nazmul Huda announced the formation of a new political party named “Trinomul BNP” (Grass-root BNP) today.
Huda, the former BNP vice-chairman, made the announcement at press conference held at a hotel in Dhaka today.
In a written statement, Huda declared himself as the convener of the new political party.
“BNP is now almost a banished political party after its failure to wage anti-government movement recently,” Huda said.
The party is being run by inherent leadership from London, he alleged.
Khaleda Zia’s party policies are completely contrary to that of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, , he opined.
About the principles of the party, he said, “Trinomul BNP believes in secularism and respects the religious faiths of all people. He added that the party will never indulge in religion-based politics but focus on ensuring good governance in the country through constructive political means.

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“The party’s policy will be- love for all, malice to none,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said he will demand “Dhaner Chhora” as the election symbol to the Election Commission.

Halt execution of Mojaheed, SQ Chy: HRW

Star Online Report

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called upon the government to halt the execution of death row war criminals Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.
The international rights watchdog made the call today, two days after the Supreme Court rejected the review petitions of Salauddin and Mojaheed and upheld its earlier judgments, paving the way for the execution of the two key war criminals.
“The authorities should immediately suspend the death sentences of Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mojaheed of the Jamaat-e-Islam Party and Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury of the Bangladesh National Party pending an independent and impartial review of their cases,” HRW said in a statement.
“Justice and accountability for the terrible crimes committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence are crucial, but trials need to meet international fair trial standards,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Unfair trials can’t provide real justice, especially when the death penalty is imposed.”
Government assurances that it would adopt recommendations from the US government, Human Rights Watch, and others to improve the proceedings and amend the law have yet to be fulfilled, the statement read.
According the HRW statement, Stephen Rapp, the former US ambassador for war crimes, who has long advised the government to make changes to ensure fair trials, “spoke out this week on the miscarriage of justice” in the cases of Mojaheed and Chowdhury.
Human Rights Watch opposes the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty, the statement said, adding: “Bangladesh should join with the many countries already committed to the United Nations General Assembly’s December 18, 2007 resolution calling for a moratorium on executions and a move by UN member countries toward abolition of the death penalty.”