The Bangladesh government is considering legal steps regarding war criminals’ property against the backdrop of what the law minister said a growing public demand seeking confiscation of their assets.
“Steps could be taken on the basis of a (possible) court order to be obtained after amending International Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973 or we can enact a new law (regarding war criminals property),” Law Minister Anisul Huq told reporters
yesterday.
Huq, however, said the property of 1971 war crimes convicts who were executed by now might not be confiscated as under the law of inheritance their heirs by now got the ownership of the
assets.
“I am afraid we may not do anything with their (executed war criminals) property … but we may frame a new law to take action with regard to the property of other war
criminals,” the minister said.
Huq said with the trial of most of the high-profile perpetrators of 1971 crimes against humanity, a phase in war crimes trial has been completed.
“People are demanding action against war criminals’ property. We have started considering actions to be taken about these properties in line with the law as Sheikh Hasina’s government is a people’s government and we are accountable to people,” he said.
However, Huq said the issue involving the war criminals’ property is unlikely to be resolved ‘very soon’ while, on the other hand.
“What I can tell you is that the legal process has started. We will try to do it as fast as possible,” the minister said.
Replying to a question, if steps are underway to expose to justice Jamaat-e-Islami as a party for committing crimes against humanity in 1971, the minister replied in the
affirmative.
“The matter awaits the approval of the cabinet,” he said.