Dhaka – Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Shafique Ahmed on Monday told Parliament that the trial of the top war
crimes suspects would be completed within shortest possible time and the verdicts would also be executed at the earliest.
The Law Minister made this comment while replying to a question from ruling party lawmaker M Monirul Islam of Barisal-2 constituency during
question-answer hour.
“The government has taken all necessary steps to complete the trial of war criminals. There is no scope for the government to interfere in
the trial process. The judiciary is fully independent,” he said.
The Law Minister also made it clear that the completion of the trial of war criminals does not depend on the desires of the government.
He mentioned that the International Crimes Tribunals (ICTs) and Appellate Division of the Supreme Court have already delivered a
number of verdicts on war crimes accused maintaining international standards.
Replying to a question from treasury bench member Golam Dastagir Gazi, Shafique Ahmed said a total of 31,16,095 cases were disposed of by
higher and lower courts across the country after assuming power by the present government.
He informed the House that during the period the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court disposed of 10,671 cases, the High Court 1,35,071
cases and the lower courts 29,70,353 cases.
To another question from ruling party MP Fazilatun Nesa Bappi, the Minister said the government has taken various measures, including
displaying of citizen charters, to create public awareness about land registration fees, tax and other important information.
Besides, he said, an initiative is underway to introduce computerized land registration system to ensure modernization, better service,
accountability and transparency within a short time.
Responding to another question from Begum Sultana Bublbul of Women Seat-34, he said there are 188 buildings for sub-registrar offices
across the country.
Replying to another question from Sadhana Halder, he informed the House that the government has provided Taka 1,30,72,840 as legal aid
support to insolvent justice seekers in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
The government also allocated Taka one crore to provide financial support to insolvent justice seekers, he said.
In 2013-2014 fiscal year, he said, the government also allocated Taka one crore for this purpose. – Staff Reporter
