16 JULY 2013 / 7 RAMADHAN 1434H
ABIM Condemns Professor Ghulam Azam’s Verdict.
The so-called Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal’s 90-year prison sentence against the 91-year old Professor Ghulam Azam, spiritual head Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh is an absolute mockery of justice. Our study of the court proceedings of Professor Azam’s case suggests that all the charges against him are based on hearsay and newspaper clippings. None was proved beyond reasonable doubt, therefore he should have been acquitted of all 61 charges and released immediately. It was indeed politically motivated since Jamaat-e-Islami is the most formidable rival in the next coming Bangladesh general election for ruling party.
This verdict in fact deserved to be condemned by international community who really committed in upholding justice and preserving human rights. ABIM is joining the list to condemn this verdict and urge the entire justice lover to do the same.
During the 1971 war of Bangladesh's independence, he was critical of Pakistan army's atrocities. Like all other patriots of what is now Bangladesh, he wanted an end of Pakistan's hegemonic attitude to its East wing (Bangladesh). However, he did not want Bangladesh to be independent from Pakistan with India's help. He knew very well that India would not help Bangladeshi people without its clandestine interests. Professor Azam has proven prescient in his assessment of the 1971 war, as Bangladesh is now paying the price of receiving help from India during the war.
This war crimes tribunal and its miscarriage of justice will remain a blot on Bangladesh's collective consciousness. The people who are being tried are highly respected in the country and beyond. Injustice on them will create an unnecessary burden on the country's legal system. Intimidation, forced disappearances of defense witnesses, large-scale fabrication and false charges, executive intervention, and many other unlawful and criminal activities have marked this tribunal. When the victors of today's Bangladesh become defeated, this will create another cycle of vengeance. For a poor country, this is too much. However, the powerful countries of the world seem to have let this happen because: 1. Bangladesh is a Muslim country; 2. the victims are Islamic political leaders.
ABIM wants Professor Azam, 91 years old and other Islamic leaders incarcerated in Bangladesh's prisons released immediately. We also want the closure of this controversial so-called International Crimes Tribunal which has lost all credibility in terms of its independence and impartiality and re-establish it again according to international standards and norms to bring the real culprits and to avoid any injustice imposed on innocent people like Professor Azam and the rest.
JUFITRI JOHA
Vice President (International Affairs)
ABIM
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