Parties welcome army’s support for justice in crimes against humanity cases
They stress accountability lies only with individuals
Political parties have welcomed the Bangladesh Army's move to take into custody 15 officers facing arrest warrants from the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), while stressing that responsibility for alleged crimes lies with individuals, not the institution.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said most members of the army sincerely want those who crossed the line to face justice, so that no government can ever again issue unlawful orders involving enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, signed by the party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the BNP said: "The BNP believes that fair and impartial trials of related crimes are crucial to protecting the country's democracy, human rights, and the professionalism of the army."
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It added, "A country must be governed according to the law of the land. The responsibility of identified individuals should not be placed on any institution, nor should an institution be questioned for the misdeeds of a few."
Describing itself as a main victim of enforced disappearances, killings, and political persecution during the Awami League's rule, the BNP reiterated its call for impartial trials of all human rights violations, regardless of institutional affiliation.
The statement followed the army's announcement that 15 officers facing ICT warrants over enforced disappearances and torture allegedly committed during the previous government's tenure had been taken into military custody.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has also welcomed the army's declared support for the ongoing judicial process, describing it as a positive step towards accountability and justice.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman wrote: "The army has already made a clear announcement of its support for this judicial process, and the accused individuals have been taken into military custody. We welcome this initiative."
He said the process of bringing to justice certain officers involved in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings had finally begun.
"The people of Bangladesh wish to remain proud of their patriotic armed forces. But it is regrettable that some members failed to respect the country's laws and human rights," he wrote.
Under the influence of the former fascist regime, he continued, some officers became "blind collaborators in executing its agenda of eliminating opponents," creating "a terrifying atmosphere of abductions and killings."
However, he said, the entire institution should not be discredited for the actions of a few. "Responsibility for the crimes will rest solely on the persons directly involved," he added.
Shafiqur expressed hope that "no injustice will be inflicted upon anyone" and that "through a transparent judicial process, the perpetrators will face due punishment."
"This will not only erase the burden of the past but also ensure that no one dares to exploit their profession or position to harm citizens again," his post read.
On 8 October, the ICT issued arrest warrants for 30 individuals in connection with three cases – two over enforced disappearances and torture during the Awami League government, and one related to killings in Rampura and Banasree during the July Uprising. The list includes 25 serving and retired army officers.
The following day, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam posted on Facebook, saying all officers facing warrants must be apprehended without delay and brought to justice.
"To free the army from stigma, those involved in crimes against humanity must be held accountable," Nahid added. "We hope the military leadership will fully cooperate with the government and the tribunal. This is not a matter of institutional ego or prestige, but one of justice, democracy, and the state itself."
