International rights body Amnesty International on Thursday urged Bangladesh to halt the imminent execution of Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Nizami’s review petition, clearing the way for his execution.
The Amnesty International also iterated its call for imposing a moratorium on the death penalty.
“We are dismayed that the Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and death sentence against Matiur Rahman Nizami. The victims of the horrific events of the 1971 liberation war deserve justice, but the death penalty is not the answer,” said Jameen Kaur, Amnesty International’s Campaigns Director for South Asia.
“Taking another life will just perpetuate the cycle of violence. We urge the Bangladeshi authorities to halt this execution immediately, and impose a moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty with a view to its eventual repeal.”
The government has a duty to ensure accountability for war crimes, and it is positive that the Bangladeshi authorities are taking steps in this direction. “But many credible organisations including Amnesty International and the UN have raised serious and important issues around the fairness of the trials of International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh which have not been addressed,” said the rights body.
“Victims of past atrocities deserve better than a flawed process. Today’s decision has already triggered demonstrations across Bangladesh, and all sides must ensure that these do not turn violent. Security forces should ensure that the right to peaceful protest is respected, while political leaders on all sides should call on their supporters to refrain from human rights abuses,” said Jameen Kaur.
Source: Prothom Alo
