BNP against democracy, war crimes trial, says PM

Saturday, July 14, 2012 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the opposition is hatching conspiracies to destroy democracy and foil the trials of the war crime suspects.

“After Bangabandhu was assassinated, Ziaur Rahman rehabilitated war criminals into politics and made them ministers, even prime ministers," Hasina said.

“And his wife, Khaleda Zia also rewarded war criminals and anti-liberation forces. For these, they do not want that the trial of the war criminals to be held,” the premier added.

The PM said this while addressing the 6th National Congress of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Hasina directed all AL activists and leaders to safeguard democracy saying, “This [BNP] anti-liberation force repeatedly attempted to destroy democracy and we restored it again and again.”

Urging Bangladesh Awami Jubo League to act as a strong organisation, she asked its activists to remain vigil at all levels including villages, unions and upazilas so that none could hamper democracy.

She said the activists of the organisation must work with an intention to sacrifice, like the father of the nation. They must consider what has been done for the country instead of what has been taken from it and the countrymen must be loved and served.

Trust and confidence of the public are the main components without which no leader can contribute to the country, she reminded.

No fundamentalism, terrorism or violence will be tolerated in the country, she further said.

Outgoing Jubo League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury and its General Secretary Mirza Azam in their speeches apologised to the public for any unwilling mistakes committed in their nine and a half year tenure from January 25, 2003.

Appointment of new chairman and general secretary for the Jubo League is to follow after Saturday’s conference.

Awami League Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu, lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, state minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanak also addressed the occasion.