National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam today urged the interim government to publish a clear roadmap ensuring that the prosecution of crimes committed during the July uprising — including abductions, killings and other fascist crimes under the Awami League’s rule — continues uninterrupted even after the national election.
Speaking to journalists at the International Crimes Tribunal premises, Nahid said the NCP’s first demand after the formation of an interim government was that the trials be conducted promptly and fairly. “We asked from the beginning that this justice process be completed in a timely and proper manner,” he said.
Nahid warned that while the case against Sheikh Hasina might reach judgment soon — he said he himself may be the last witness in that prosecution — the country faces many more cases arising from the nationwide atrocities and repression following the July uprising. Those cases, he said, will require a sustained, long-term judicial effort.
To prevent any disruption, Nahid called on the interim government to publicly commit to a coordinated roadmap — drawn up in consultation with all political parties — that guarantees the Tribunal’s work and related prosecutions will continue after the election. He also urged all political parties to include in their election manifestos a pledge to keep the July-genocide trials ongoing beyond polling day.
On the question of bringing the accused to face justice, Nahid said the government must pursue diplomatic and political channels and build international public opinion so that Sheikh Hasina is returned to the country and held accountable. “Bringing her back and ensuring punishment is the moral and legal duty of this government and of any government,” he told reporters.
Nahid described the Tribunal’s proceedings so far as satisfactory and expressed hope that the process will move toward verdicts within a reasonable time — while stressing the need for equal attention to the many other pending cases arising from the uprising.
