Protesters demand speedy 1971 war crimes trials in Bangladesh

[News_Editor]

Protesters demand speedy 1971 war crimes trials in Bangladesh

2011-12-30 07:45:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

DHAKA (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of Bangladeshi protesters gathered in central Dhaka on Thursday to demand a faster trial for those accused of committing crimes during the country's war in 1971, local media reported.

The 14-party combine led by the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) held the rally in front of the Shikha Chiranton, which honors the unknown martyrs of the War of Liberation. It is also the place where Pakistani forces finally surrendered to the joint forces of Bangladeshi troops and the Indian army on December 16, 1971.

The rally was also an attempt to foil the opposition's alleged "conspiracy" to save those facing war crimes charges, who are also key members of the opposition parties. Awami League presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury claimed during the rally that the suspected war criminals are still committing murders across the country.

The Awami League-led 14-party combine and other like-minded political parties supporting the trial of war criminals said rallies will be held in every district of the country on January 7, Bangladesh News 24 reported on its website.

The war broke out on March 26, 1971, when West Pakistan launched a military operation against Bengali civilians who were demanding separation of the East from West Pakistan. The conflict resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh.

There were widespread killings and violations of human rights during the nine-month war. Bangladesh says that as many as 3 million people were killed, more than 200,000 women were raped and millions more were displaced.

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