Govt to amend ICT Act, 1973

In the awake of the ongoing demand from common people and legal experts, the government has taken decision to amend section 21 (2) of International Crime Tribunal (ICT) Act-1973.

The amendment will incorporate a provision for the government to file an appeal against an inadequate sentence to a war crimes accused.

Confirming the matter to banglanews Saturday, State minister for law Advocate Quamrul Islam said the government will finalize the amendment to the law within a day or two after Law Minister Shafique Ahmed returns from Paris.

Qamrul Islam said, “There is no scope in the existing law to file an appeal against the order of inadequate sentence to any war crimes convict.”

As per the section 21 (2) of the ICT Act, “The government (which represents the victims in the war crimes trial) shall have the right to appeal to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against an order of acquittal.”

Although on January 21 in 2012, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed mentioned as per foreign legal experts, the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 is perfect for the trial of crimes against humanity during the liberation war in 1971.

People from all walks of life under the banner of ‘Bloggers and Online Activist Network’ are staging demonstration at Shahbagh intersection in the capital demanding capital punishment to all war criminals including Jamaat assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Mollah.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 Awarded Abdul Quader Mollah with lifetime imprison and Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Rajakar with death penalty for their involvement in crimes against humanity.banglanews24.com

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