Country getting rid of war crimes curse: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the country is gradually getting rid of the curse with the holding of trial and the execution of war crime convicts, says news agency UNB.
"Bangladesh, I think, was under a curse for a long time for not holding the trial of the war criminals. By holding the trial of the war criminals and executing of the court verdicts, the country is now gradually getting rid of that curse," she said.
The premier was delivering her valedictory speech of the eighth session of the 10th Parliament.
Sheikh Hasina noted that the country will never get rid of the curse fully if the trial of the war criminals is not completed.
The PM said her government has started the trial of the war criminals and executing the court verdicts.
Talking about the scale of crimes of the war criminals during the country’s Liberation War in 1971, she said, "Their crimes were endless."
She recalled that these evils had handed mothers and sisters over to Pakistani occupation forces, killed them and massacred millions of people. “And even infants couldn’t escape their persecution.”
"With this trial, I think, those who are still alive with deep pain in their hearts losing their near and dear ones during the Liberation
War will get a little bit of peace and solace thinking that they’re getting justice," Hasina said.
Turing to the recent attacks by Islamic State (IS) militants in different countries across the world, Sheikh Hasina said the government would engage its all efforts together so that no militant outfit or IS could grow here. “Now all Muslim countries are in trouble because of the vested quarter…. only Bangladesh is still remains safe.”
Citing a US-based organisation’s recent report, Sheikh Hasina said the report stated that Bangladesh is safer place than the USA.
“We want to keep Bangladesh a peaceful country, and the people of all levels will have to remain active to maintain that,’ she told the House.
The leader of the House urged all to inform the law enforcement agencies if they see any militant activity around them or have any such information.
About the destructive politics of BNP-Jamaat nexus during the first half this calendar year, she said Khaleda Zia had tried to oust the government through killing and burning people.
In this connection, she briefly described various atrocities of the BNP chief during her 92-day destructive politics.
“Having failed to oust the government, she [Khaleda] went abroad… after her departure, we saw the killing of foreign nationals in the country,” Hasina said.
She mentioned that two foreign nationals have been killed, while another was injured.
Hasina said the culprits have been identified properly, while many of them have been arrested and further drive is on to hunt down all. “We’re taking steps to arrest and put those under trial who are engaged in such incidents.”
Describing various development activities of the government and its achievements, the Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh will no longer keep their heads down.
“We’ll be there on the world stage with our heads high, and for that we’ll do whatever is needed. Bangladesh will never lag behind,” she added.
The PM said Bangladesh has achieved a place for its advancement and it will continue. “No one will be able to stop Bangladesh’s forward march Inshallah, no matter whoever does whatever conspiracy against it,” she added.
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