Says it does not support demand for scrapping of war crimes tribunals
BNP does not support Jamaat-e-Islami’s demand for dismantling of the war crimes tribunals, the main opposition party’s coordinator Tariqul Islam said yesterday.
“On this point, BNP does not bear any ideological resemblance to Jamaat,” Tariqul observed.
He was talking to reporters at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters after announcing a month-long programme of the BNP-led 18-party alliance.
Tariqul, also a standing committee member, said his party supported the trial of those accused of war crimes, but that trial would have to be transparent and fair.
He alleged the ongoing war crimes trial was not being conducted in a transparent manner. The Human Rights Watch too had said the same, he added.
Besides top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, two BNP leaders are now standing trial for war crimes.
Queried why his party supported Jamaat’s January 31 hartal demanding dismantling of the tribunals, he said BNP extended support to that hartal because Jamaat was denied its democratic right to hold rally.
According to the programmes announced by Tariqul at yesterday’s press meet, the 18-party combine will lay siege and submit memorandums to the offices of deputy commissioners tomorrow, demanding release of the opposition leaders.
The alliance will bring out black-flag processions in all districts and upazilas on February 11, protesting forced disappearances of opposition leaders including BNP’s organising secretary M Ilias Ali.
It will also lay siege to the offices of upazila nirbahi officers on February 18, protesting the price hike of essentials and power.
BNP came up with what it calls “soft programmes” six days after it held a meeting at its chairperson’s Gulshan office in the capital on January 28.
Tariqul said the opposition combine would hold rallies on February 23, 25 and 27 in districts and upazilas, protesting “corruption” of the present Awami League-led government.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit different districts throughout the month to drum up public support for the ongoing anti-government movement.
Tariqul said the opposition had opted for “soft programmes” for this month, as there were SSC examinations going on and Amar Ekushey round the corner.
“But we will announce tough programmes if the government does not meet our demands,” he added.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, joint secretary generals Barakatullah Bulu and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, among others, were present.
