Thu 14 Dec 2006
35 year ago today many of our national intellectual icons were brutally murdered in an attempt to intellectually cripple the new country Bangladesh.
Our victory celebrations after 16th December were being overshadowed by grim discoveries of one after another killing field. Most destabilizing discovery was that of Rayer Bazaar. All of our national top doctors, professors, linguists, scientists were among the eviscerated dead bodies found here.
This is footage of the discovery of Rayer Bazar killing field. This is very graphic. But I ask viewers to watch it. We must see these. (My brothers and sisters whose family members were among those killed need not see the pictures. You already suffered enough and are still suffering).
These killing operation was conducted by Al Badr, a newly formed paramilitary wing of Jamaat-i-Islami and was headed by the then All Pakistan Islami Chhatra Shangha president Motiur Rahman Nizami.
Bangladesh flag flies from Mr. Nizami’s car now a day.
We need to bring this criminal to justice.
December 13th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
I think it goes to show just how corrupt Bengalis are and the evils of Islamist politics that these types of people are allowed to enter politics at all. Still, Islamic parties are only a small minority and it is the corruption of the two main parties which is fuelling their rise rather than the allure of Islamism. I mean we all know Bengalis, a very sceptical/cynical peoples, unlikely to fall for extremes like Communism and Islamism.
December 13th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Dear Lanacian,
Please don’t be mad on me. Based on your logic I’m not corrupt becaue I never bore my ID as Bangalee. I was born as a Pakistani citizen and reborn as a citizen of Bangladesh meaning Bangladeshi. Even my passport clearly identifies me as Bangladesh, for which I’m proud of. I don’t know how your pp identifies you and how do you feel about that ID!
Thanks.
December 13th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Thanks for calling a spade a spade Rumi bhai.
December 13th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
I ask these question because I always wonder about them and the answers are never satisfactory.
1. What is to prevent anyone from filing cases against someone else accused of collaborating with the Pakistani Army in 1971? I mean, what actually stops someone from walking into a court and filing cases against anyone?
2. If some of these people are really so clearly guilty, why weren’t they prosecuted after the War?
A word to potential doubters, I ask because I really do wonder, and this seems like an appropriate forum.
Thanks,
December 13th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
tteller,
We all are both Bangalee and Bangladeshi. What’s wrong with this identification ?
December 13th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
My cousin has written a very moving piece in today’s Daily Star about his father, Mufazzal Haider Chowdhury, who was killed on this day in 1971. It’s at http://thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/december/december14th/neverknew.htm
December 14th, 2006 at 4:34 am
Why don’t we put Nizami on trial?
December 14th, 2006 at 7:05 am
this site has a detailed list of “collaborators”. having been born after the war, i don’t know how accurate or politically biased the list is, but it does cover a wide range of people. would like to hear the perceptions of older folks who were around at the time on the names mentioned here.
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/hastings/430/files/banwarcrim.htm
December 14th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Mannan Bhuiya today during a “shokh shobha” organised by the BNP in “honour” of the martyred intellectuals said that it is a disgrace that even after all these years the perpetrators of the heinous crimes have not been identified, brought to justice or punished.
I kid you not. This is too serious to be a joke.
December 14th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Previously posted item on Nijami is here
http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2006/01/19/role-of-nijami/
December 14th, 2006 at 9:10 am
In one sentence the reason is lack of political will among the political parties . There is no reason to believe if AL comes to power they will do anything in this regard, but rather they will be good at providing rhetoric. This is their political tool. THey are not going to let it go. However, as average Bangladeshis, citizens need to take their own initiative regarding this and expect that the government does not stand in the way.
A good read to answer some of the questions regarding not bring these people to justice.
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/Zia_U_Ahmed/justice_after_genocide_092106.htm
A case file in Australian court
December 14th, 2006 at 9:33 am
After putting out the same report for the past three years on this day, ds finally updated this year.
check it out to believe
http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2005/12/13/mundane-intellectual-day/
December 14th, 2006 at 10:00 am
And Jamaat today in their “discussion session” said that the Awami League blames everyone else for crimes and finding no one else they are trying to put the blame of the killings of 1971 on the Jamaat.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Haque: I believe (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) the reason for not going after the criminals of 1971 (specially the Jamaat) is because General Zia gave a general amnesty to all in 1977.
I think it is time to explore the concept of a truth and reconcilation committee like venture.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
This is regarding the link provided in #8:
I am sure that every self-identifying Bangladeshi/Bangali will agree that the collaborators committed war-crimes. I am sure everyone will also agree that since ‘71 nothing has been done to deal with them - neither prosecution nor reconciliation.
While justice is long overdue, I don’t think lists such as the one provided in the linked URL help (any) due process. They tend to lack the documentation and methodological rigor that should be present in a war crimes accusation. For some of those names (e.g. Nizami) there is no lack of evidence. For others, there is nothing but hearsay.
Personal anecdote: I’ve had negative experiences with a similar list, from the infamous and now defunct “Name a Rajakar” website. This was a slick website that had an online form enabling anyone to anonymously name a rajakar along with addresses and next of kin. Some @55hole thought it would be funny to put a deceased uncle’s name on the list. I am sure he wasn’t a rajakar because he passed away in the early ’60s when he was still in university. Needless to say it hurt a lot of feelings in my family and I sent a complaint to the website owners. I never heard back from the webmaster and the site soon went bust.
Bottomline: an accusation as strong and as provocative as being a war criminal should be documented. We should steer away from methodologically unsound lists before we let our search for justice become a witch-hunt.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Who pardoned the rajakars?
From Tormenting 1971:
In January, 1972, Bangabandhu had formulated the Collaborators Act to try the local killers,
collaborators and war criminals. This Act covers those individuals or organisations who collaborated the
Pakistani army in mass killings, conducted crimes against humanity, unleashed torture on men, women and
children, destroyed property, or helped in destructive activities or fought against the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh siding with the occupation forces or supported them. The Act also explained in detail how a tribunal to punish them could be set up and the trial process itself.
The 1972 Act gave no scope to put the Pakistani criminals on trial. He then enacted the ‘International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973’ in July, 1973, basically to bring them under that process and to expand the scope of their trial. But the laws had some limitations. The officers-in-charge of respective thanas (police stations) were given responsibility to frame charges against the war criminals. Most of the OCs had served the Pakistan government during the 1971 Liberation War. They were not sincere in framing charges against the war criminals. They were also not free from biases towards the war criminals.
Considering the problem, Dainik Bangla published a report titled ‘Amendment to Collaborators Act is Needed’. The reports says:
‘Seventy-five percent of those arrested after independence under the charge of collaboration have chance to be freed. The reason is that specific allegations are not filing against them… There is a deficiency of police. OCs of the thanas have been given responsibility to investigate into the allegations under the Collaborators Act. The OC alone is not capable to investigate all the allegations in a thana… Besides, the legal experts have something to say about the Collaborators Act. They said the Act was enacted to hold trial of crimes taken place under a special circumstances. So the trial procedures need a special type to probe an allegation. But the present law follows the century-old Evidence Act. Many complexities are being seen while following the Evidence Act for trial of crimed commited in a special time. It is becoming impossible to probe the crimes of the war criminals.’
Other people say demanding trial of war criminals is irrelevant as Awami League government had a general amnesty to them. This was said time and again that none pardoned Pakistani war criminals. Their main associate Ghulam Azam has also not been forgiven. The section two of the press note issued on November 30, 1973 categorically said ‘those who were punished for or accused of rape, murder, attempt to murder or arson will not come under general amnesty under the section one.’ Some 26,000 people, out of 37,000 sent to jail on charge of collaboration, were freed after announcement of the general amnesty. But 11,000 were still in the prison. The government of Justice Sayem and General Zia scrapped the Collaboration Act on December 31, 1975. As a result, the 11,000 war criminals appealed and were released.
Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee (The Committee for Resisting Killers and Collaborators of 1971) led by Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam was formed in January, 1992. The next month with the same goal in holding trial of the war criminals, she brought all pro-liberation political, socio-cultural, student and professional organisations under the umbrella of ‘Jatiya Samonnoy Committee’ (National Co-ordination Committee). People from all walks of life raised their voice for the trial of the war criminals. The resentment prevailing among people for not holding the trial of the war criminals in the previous year was reflected through symbolic trial of Ghulam Azam at a public court. The then BNP government had brought treason charges against the initiators of the Peoples’ Court (Gano Adalat).
On the Gano Adalat and trial of the war criminals, the then Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina on April 16, 1992 had told the Parliament:
‘… They didn’t take law in their own hands following the verdict of the Gano Adalat, Mr Speaker. Since they didn’t take law in their own hands, so none can call them illegal, there is no scope, too. What did they say? They said Ghulam Azam is a war criminal. The crimes of the war criminal (showing a copy of the verdict of the peoples’ court) are recorded here. And the person who was found guilty with the crimes, deserves capital punishment. We came to this Parliament through mass upsurge, struggle and peoples’ mandate. I think, the verdict they proclaimed in the Gano Adalat, says the crimes deserve death sentence. Many of those who are sitting in this parliament lost their husbands, lost their brothers; mothers and sisters were humiliated during the Liberation War. Those who took part in the war continued armed struggle amid starvation day after day. My appeal to those who liberated the country by fighting for nine months when their lives were always at risk, let’s come together irrespective all opinion and party affiliation to show respect to the verdict of people. The debate here on who did who did not, will bring no good for us. If you think Awami League didn’t do, my question is why didn’t you try? Why did you scrap the law through martial-law proclamation? In this independent and sovereign Bangladesh why are you pushing the nation towards such a debate? So, my appeal, Mr Speaker, still there is a time, come on irrespective all opinions and party affiliation, let’s work together as we did in bringing 11th and 12th amendment to the constitution. Those who lost their kin, those who still feel the pain of loosing relatives, let’s accept the decision. To implement the verdict, Mr
Speaker, current laws (International Crime Act, 73) is enough. If you think there is a lack of law, this great Sangsad could fill it up. This great Parliament has that right. The nation gave that right. This Sangsad is sovereign. Through you I’m urging the government to form a special tribunal under International Crime Act (Act of XIX of 1973) to implement the verdict of the peoples’ court against Ghulam Azam accusing him of opposing the Liberation War, taking part in war against the nation, conducting mass killings, commiting crimes against humanity, opposing Bangladesh even after its establishment, conspiring to revive East Pakistan and being a foreign national taking part in illegal political activities to capture power through conspiracy and to take legal action to hold trial of the allegations brought against him. I’m proposing to lodge a case and hold trial immediately. At the same time, I on behalf of the Parliament expressing sorrow for filing the disgraceful case against the organisaers of the Gano Adalat that reflected the opinion of people and through you urging the government to withdraw the case immediately.
The government and the opposition on June 29, 1992, signed an agreement after a long debate in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) and pressure from outside the Parliament. The government in the agreement agreed to the condition of holding trial of Ghulam Azam and to withdraw the case against the 24 organisers of the Gano Adalat. It is unfortunate that the trial of Ghulam Azam is yet to be held. No step was taken also to hold trial of other war criminals of 1971.
London-based ‘Twenty Twenty Television’ has made an hour-long documentary titled ‘War Crimes File’ on three war criminals staying there. It created much sensation in London after it was showed in Channel Four of BBC. Elaborating the target of making the documentary, one of its makers and chief researcher David Bergman said the conscious world, including the European community raised their voice against the mass killings and war crimes committed in former Yugoslavia’s Bosnia. A strong demand was raised that the war criminals have to be punished. At that time he came to know that three war criminals of Bangladesh are residing in London in disguise. They also became leaders of the Bengalee community there. They are involved with various fundamentalist and communal groups. They made the film to unmask the war criminals and bring them to book.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Rao Forman Ali accuses Al Badrs for the killing of the intellectuals :
http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2004/victory_day/vic12.htm
December 14th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Razakar Mujaheed’s history.
http://www.khabor.com/bangladesh/bangladesh.news.12.14.2006.000004.htm
December 14th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
SalamDhaka, can you make a PDF out of the Mujaheed item and post somewhere. The Bangla HTML comes as gibberish on an Apple Mac.
December 14th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
Jamaat observes Shaheed Budhhijibee Dibosh! No, really! Also, did you know, it wasn’t Razakars and Al Badars (I wonder how long it’s going to be till we get another “oh why bring up the Razakar issue again?” post here…) who along with the Pakistanis killed the budhhijibees, it was India! It was a calculated step to weaken Bangladesh…not by Pakistan and the collaborators, but India. Gosh, if Jamaat returns to power this is going to be the official version! Oh wait, isn’t the official version already something along those lines?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Thanks. So, two seperate amnesties were issued under the first two governments of Independent Bangladesh. Can someone put in some context? I mean, why was this necessary?
Can amnesties be overturned? And wasn’t Golam Azam granted Bangladeshi citizenship sometime around 94?
December 14th, 2006 at 10:35 pm
[...] EST South Asia Bangladesh, Development, History Global Roundups drishtipat on the killing of people 35 years ago 35 year ago to intellectually cripple the new cou [...]
December 15th, 2006 at 1:23 am
Naeem,
There is some background information on Razakar Mujaheed here as well.
http://www.muktadhara.net/moza.html
Another great document on Mujahid and his role in 1971 in PDF format.
http://www.library.shuchinta.com/mujahidRole71.pdf
December 15th, 2006 at 2:28 am
It is much easier said than done.
When people cry for or yell at the issue I feel sad for them. It reminds me the popular Bengali proverb, ” Hati Ghora Ghelo Taul Chamchika Bole Kata Jal.”
Again dear bloggers don’t take offense; practice patience and learn to listen all different views. I love to talk a little bitter truth.
Who was or who can be the more powerful leader in this country than Sheik Mujib? I must appreciate your dare-devil desire. When just after independence all the evidences were fresh and the people were all ‘bued with the emotions and spirits of liberation, the ever most powerful leader of the land failed to put the so called war criminals to justice. Now after 3-1/2 decades if some people think that is possible they are living the foolests’ paradise surrounded by all the hells.
This is again an evil thinking to backgear the country to the Jahannam.
To me, war criminal stuff like Nuremberg code etc are again unfair things. It is the unfair provision of investigating the crimes committed by the losing side of the evil war game, not the crimes committed by winners. It is again a kind of beastility of the winners on the losers. Didn’t any of the warring countries against Germany do any crime against humanity in the 2nd world war? Is there any code to indict and put them under trial?
If there is a true war crime investigation of our liberation war it must also include all the extrajudiciary killings like the killeings of retired governor Monayem Khan and thousands innocent others who were killed by FFs as they were just once muslim leaguers. These are not anything concocted. We are in the war field & we witnessed those. There were thousands of crimes at that time. After about 4 decades it is beyond the scope and capacity to put the war criminals to justice, where we’re even failing to put criminals of recent bomb attacks and killings in Hasina’s meeting or killing of Kibria. In the name of justice we may sometimes do murders, again for example, as we claim Colonel Taher was murdered by Zia. If we for example, we excute some so called war criminals it will be just celebrating our victory with joy of beastality but that surely never be a fair justice.
Thanks.
December 15th, 2006 at 2:42 am
ttler, you have been debunked so many times in this blog and you keep on giving the same views. So I will disregard your illogical comments for now.
Haque, as posted in the quote before the context of the first amnesty was rehabilitation of people who did not commit criminal offense like rape or murder. THere was about 11,000 people who were under the bar for these offenses.
However, 2nd amnesty under Ziaur Rahman scrapped this Dalal Ain under martial law and all of these people appealed their conviction and got a get out of jail card. I am not sure about whether it was done to appease the Arab countries whom Zia was trying to please at that time.
A lot can be done but who will do it. BNP will not do it for sure now that they are in bed with Jamat. Neither will AL as was proven the last time they were in power. AL is good at providing lip service in this issue with no real work. In 1997, Bangladesh was the one of the few countries who did not ratify the international war crimes law. Yes, that was when Hasina was in power. Ziauddin Ahmed from Brussels will tell you how much he lobbied with the then government to get this done to no effect. If you just look at the leaders like Jalil, Tofayel, Amu etc, you can see their only interest is going to power and making money. So there is no political will any where. Jahanara Imam showed us how strong people’s feelings about this issue. But too bad there is no Jahamara Imam to lead us any more.
December 15th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Friends,
Reading all these materials had been very helpful–I learnt a lot including names.
As far as I remember that right after Independence some nogotiations were going on with Inidan PM and heads of other Countries for release of Sheikh Mujib who finally arrived on 10 January 1972;via London and Delhi.The negotiations were:1. Release for POWs 2.Immunity to non-bangladeshis pending their repatriation in return for immunity for Bangladeshis stranted in Pakistan 3.Return of Indian soldiers at earliest possible time after immediate formation of Police and Defense in the country.
Then right after Sheikh Mujib’s arrival when he was on process for International recognization of Bangladesh the Heads of the Countries pressed for these issues and additionally had asked Mujib to stop all kinds of trials and that covered that of the Committees and rajakars n al-shams and all similar organisations– reason that Country must encourgage Peace and development steps to be considered for recognition and International Aid without which we had the Famine of 1973-74.
Sometime late 1972 or early 1973(I dont remember excatly)Sheikh flew to Pakistan and was seen on TV that he and Bhutto held hands together for peace!!!!
When Sheik Hasina came to Bangladesh and was rearranging the AL she met Gulam Azam then and discussed many political points.She also supported the Ershad regime and was opposition party-
All these above mentioned incidents are very strange and difficult to understand.
December 16th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Is there any scope to use Belgiums “International Jurisdiction” and try and bring Razakars to justice in an international war crime tribunal? I am sure there is not statue of limitations on murder.
After all I believe a Spanish judge tried this on Pinochet.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Before calling Jamaat for a trail Al should be tried first for forgiving war criminals and not for traing them.
This is the time to take account from those who allowed the war criminals to live in this country.
Do a trail for AL first then Jamaat.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I left the country at the age of 5 and still away…but always most inspiring thing in my life are those who choose to sacrifice their lives for a nation which proudly belong to.
I remember my father always use to talk about his cousin Mufazzul Haider Chowdhury, a scholar who was taken from his home and killed in 14th dec 71. Though he knew his life was in danger but refused to hide in his own country.
like him many were killed, tortured and somehow forgotten but those who killed them are still around and no one ever dare to say anything! and the most shocking of all his few days back some online daily reported that Jaamat was invited by our president at the 16dec reception party…..! while we are hoping to put them on trail for war crimes!!!
what a disgrace……………
Sharif
Nicosia