Bangladesh bars war criminals' way to flee

DHAKA: The home ministry has taken necessary measures so that the war criminals cannot leave the country, Home Minister Sahara Khatun said today. "After parliament's decision over the trial of the war criminals, the home ministry has already sent the list of the war criminals to all possible places so that they cannot leave the country," she said replying to a question from reporters after 23th convocation of the Bangladesh Ain Samiti in the city. The home minister also called upon all concerned to play active roles in maintaining law and order of the country. Parliament yesterday unanimously passed a resolution calling on the government to ensure immediate trial of the war criminals. The historic motion came five days into inauguration of the ninth legislature. It is meant to affirm the ruling Awami League's (AL) electoral pledge that if voted to power, it would put on trial those who had committed atrocious crimes against the nation during the Liberation War in 1971. “Measures be taken immediately to try the war criminals,” reads the resolution adopted amid thunderous desk-thumping. The proposal was piloted by Mahmud-us-Samad Chowdhury, AL lawmaker from Sylhet-3. Taking part in discussions on the motion, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina said her government is now gathering experts' opinions on the issue from across the globe. The foreign ministry is working on the matter. Urging Speaker Abdul Hamid to take the resolution as a property of the House, she said: “The war criminals will be brought to justice, no matter what.” Following the discussions, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Tajul Islam said the trial would be held in a credible and transparent manner so there arises no question over the proceedings.