All murders in Bangladesh must be prosecuted: Jamaat ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman demanded the interim government ensure trial of all criminal activities committed in the name of doing politics, including abductions, murders, kidnappings, extortion, looting and torture of women in the last 54 years since independence.

"The judiciary was sent to exile in the past, and as a result, people were deprived of justice. If justice could be ensured for them, then people of the country will be able to live in peace," he said while speaking at the workers' conference as the chief guest at Shaheed Boro Maidan of Dinajpur today (25 January). 

The government must implement the rule of law in the country through a fair judicial system, Shahiqur added.

"Similarly, the culture of looting will not end if the incidents aren't properly tried...We want to build an exploitation-free, corruption-free, non-communal Bangladesh," he said. 

He alleged Awami League President Sheikh Hasina looted the country's resources worth about Tk26 lakh crore assuming the power through vote-rigging.

"Hasina thought that she would fool people by assuring them of developments in the country. But the people gave a befitting reply to all her misdeeds through the student-people movement on 5 August 2024.

"Now a wind of peace is blowing across the country . . . Everyone should show due respect to this sacrifice of the young generation. Only then the sacrifice of the youth can be properly evaluated," he said.

Referring to the judgement of a judge, who performed his judicial activities introducing him as a party man, the BJI Ameer said a criminal case should be filed against him for breaching the oath of a judge.

He also said the Awami League and its people falsely implicated many Jamaat leaders and activists in different fabricated cases, even the men, women and children of this country were not spared from the grab of false cases.

"Five top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami were hanged," he mentioned. 

About his party's politics with the women leaders and workers, Jamaat Ameer said if his party comes to power in the future, all men and women will be properly evaluated. 

Dinajpur district Ameer Principal Md Anisur Rahman presided over the meeting, among others, Jamaat's assistant secretary Maulana Md Abdul Halim, Rangpur divisional Ameer Principal Md. Momtaz Uddin, Central Jamaat Working Committee Member Professor Md. Mahbubur Rahman Belal, Dhaka South City Unit Secretary Md Delwar Hossain and Dinajpur District Jamaat Secretary Dr Mahaddes Md. Enamul Haque were present.

Leaders, workers and supporters of all levels of Jamaat from 13 upazilas and nine municipalities of Dinajpur district, took part in the conference.

'Where will you go now, Bubujan? Now, your trial will begin': Jamaat secretary general 

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina should prepare to face trial for crimes committed during her Awami League government's regime.

"A tribunal was established in Bangladesh. After the false tribunal you created with false judges and false witnesses, and sentenced people to death based on lies, where will you go now, Bubujan? Now, your trial will take place," he said, addressing Hasina, while speaking at a press conference in Bhola. 

"There are 226 cases against you [Hasina]. Murder cases, genocide cases, red alerts have been issued, and warrants have been issued by Interpol. There's no escape, Bubujan. You used lies to sentence our leaders to death. [But] your actions will be judged with the truth," he further said at the event held at the grounds of Bhola Government High School. 

Referring to the next national election, he said, "If we could wait for 15 years for a fair election, then a few more months won't make a difference. What matters is whether the election is impartial or not. Jamaat-e-Islami is willing to accept the waiting period. 

"However, the trial of criminals must be completed before the election. Those who sacrificed their lives to build a new Bangladesh have placed a debt on us. We must repay that debt."

Mia Golam Parwar said his party would support the government until power is handed over to elected leaders.

Addressing the government, he said, "...Reforms are necessary, finish them first. Within the next six months, after considering the reports of reform commissions, engage with political parties and stakeholders, and complete the reform process. After six months, announce the national election roadmap."

Mia Golam Parwar also said it is the people who will decide whether the fascist forces of the Awami League are worthy of participating in the election or not.