The issues of war criminals and collaborators refuse to go away in Bangladesh even after years of independence.
With the assumption in power of Awami League in 1996, various demands about war criminals and collaborators receded for essentially two reasons; Firstly,the party that led the liberation war in 1971, being back at the helm of the affair, would take decision on its own volition about the criminals and collaborators. Other reason was, as the Awami League had to trade on very thin line to come back to power after so many years, thus many chose not to rock the boat at the very outset.
In many ways, the issues of liberation war and its spirit and aspirations of independence were seen as exclusive Awami League matters. The two major parties, BNP and JP. those alternately ruled the country, freely did include, within their folds, persons with serious questionable roles in the liberation war. This and other policies to change basic ideals of independence alienated both these parties. The responsibility, thus, have fallen on Awami League, whether rightly or wrongly.
However, as the best part of the Awami League's term in office has passed, but the government has not even uttered a word. So, there are again increasing talks about the war criminals and collaborators.
It, however, must be accepted that matters of war criminals and collaborators are not on the top of the agenda of the general mass in Bangladesh. Majority are pre-occupied with problems relating to mere survival and to meet bare necessities. To them, prices of daily commodities, insecurity etc, are far more important now, and obviously so.
For the principal opposition, their priority now is not the country or its economy, but chaos and hartals to make way back to power. Moreover, for them, cohabiting as they are with Jammat-e-Islam and Islamic Alliance, issues of war criminals and collaborators, will never be taken-up by them; once they are back in power. For some, war criminals and collaborators are mere history and have no bearing today.
Pinochet has now become an international symbol of 'justice after' of immune perpetrators. His arrest has changed the fabric of international law once and for all. Regardless of whether now he is returned to his country or not, a precedent has been set that perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture etc, are no longer secure or immune, except perhaps in their respective countries. Foreign trips for former dictators and criminals are no longer safe.
States, one after another, are incorporating international laws of war crimes, torture and crimes against humanity.
Recently, United States Senate has adopted a legislation titled "Denying Safe Havens to International and War Criminals Act of 1999". Where for the first time, it has empowered the Attorney General, among others, to transfer international criminals in custody for prosecution. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service to deny admission or remove aliens who have committed torture abroad.
In February '99, Belgium has adopted a law on crimes. Empowered by this new legislation, on 22 November 1999, a Brussels engineer has filed a case, seeking extradition to Belgium of Morocco's recently sacked interior minister.
Recently, Truth Commission in South Africa, apologies of British and Dutch Queens, prosecution of senior official of French collaborator government Pappon, agitate minds across the world. Especially, in Bangladesh where people were subjected to atrocities.
Thus, when General Pinochet has been arrested for torture and other crimes, now questions are being raised about Pakistani Generals. When International Tribunals have put people on trial, so questions are asked, then why tribunals should not try Pakistani war criminals. When US legislates no sanctuary law, then voices are raised from various quarters to focus attention on criminals and collaborators living in safe havens in USA and Canada.
Recently, discoveries of mass graves at Mirpur- Bangladesh have forced the discourse to the fore. First came the Muslim Bazar, where mosque extension bared the grisly past. Country's pioneer institution, Liberation War Museum, immediately went into action to excavate and reveal the truth.
Gradually, the Museum succeeded in exhuming some remains of genocide victims of 1971. After the Muslim Bazar excavation,, the Museum authority excavated nearby Jalladkhana (slaughterhouse) site, with the help of Bangladesh Army. They recovered 70 skulls and 5,392 various human bones here.
The remains of genocide victims at Mirpur have been an "eye opener" for many, as people visited the sights. According to Museum's Director, "Most of those who have come forward in the actual excavation and exhuming work or extended their support in many ways, belong to the generation who either have not seen the liberation war, or they were very young at the time. The Army personnel those participated most also belonged to that generation."
In fact, the symbolic trial of Jammat chief Golam Azam on the 25th anniversary of our independence on March 26 1992, had "triggered a wide movement in the nation demanding the trials of war criminals of 1971". The Mirpur mass grave discovery had been a massive reawakening of national consciousness on Bangladesh genocide. The bones and other effects hidden so long have come up to force their successors to re-visit history and conclude chapters on the war criminals and collaborators.
In addition, December and March ceremonies have almost compelled even the most relaxants to remember the victims of genocide and the brave martyrs.
Internet also has offered possibilities to transmit and transact information freely and fast, which has brought, almost literally, all kinds of people together. Expatriate Bangadeshis now communicate and contribute in ways which was never known before. Through dailies and weeklies published in Bangladesh, expatriates regularly contribute, thus adding the knowledge of the readers. They also daily update news on Bangladesh, through web-based Bangladesh and other newspapers.
This also has facilitated forming of groups with special interest among people living far apart. Naturally, in their discussion, war crimes and collaborators often feature prominently.