Warrants against army officers one of the most courageous court decisions in past 50 years: Inquilab Mancha's Osman Hadi

Issuing arrest warrants against army officers is among the most courageous decisions taken by Bangladesh's courts in the past 50 years, said Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha.

He made the comment at a press conference organised by the platform at Dhaka University's Madhur Canteen today at noon (11 October).

Inquilab Mancha, a platform inspired by the July–August mass uprising, arranged the event to protest what it described as a "misguided attempt" to grant a "safe exit" to 28 military officials accused of enforced disappearances and killings. The group also announced a five-point demand calling for the arrest and trial of those accused.

Osman Hadi said the government had formed many commissions, but the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and the investigation commission on the Pilkhana massacre faced the greatest risks.

He added, "Even after the release of a documentary by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, I did not see any protest from major political parties like BNP or Jamaat against this agency or even a section of the army. If the courts of Bangladesh have done any historical work with courage in the last 50 years, one of those acts is issuing warrants against these generals."

He also criticised what he called attempts to create a new narrative, suggesting that the courts were acting against the army, saying similar cases against police officials had not drawn such claims.

"Some people are trying to construct a new narrative in Bangladesh. They are saying that the entire court is being pitted against the Army. Hundreds of cases were filed against the police; the police acknowledged them, but at that time, the Army did not say that the police were being targeted," Hadi said.

He further criticised the media, claiming that the news of warrant issuance against army officials did not receive follow-up reports or live coverage.

At the press conference, Inquilab Mancha announced a five-point set of demands:

* Swift arrest and trial of the 28 individuals accused of enforced disappearances and killings by the International Crimes Tribunal.

* Filing of a case by the Bangladesh government at an international court over India's alleged involvement in the enforced disappearances and killings.

* Ensuring full security for all members of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and the investigation commission on the Pilkhana massacre, and the prosecution team of the International Crimes Tribunal.

* Public release of the complete report of the Pilkhana Commission within the stipulated time without any alteration.

* Swift repatriation through Interpol of 626 other individuals, including those given "safe exit" from the cantonment, to face trial in Bangladesh.