Editorial
Now to bring home the killers at large
We urge all countries to cooperate
NOW that the legal process of the Bangabandhu murder trial has run its due course and the verdict is as it should be, the government must get the six other killers, who are presently residing in various countries, extradited to Bangladesh to face justice.
It has taken long 34 years for the nation to free its conscience of guilt, but justice will remain half done if the killers, who have been found guilty and handed down the sentence of death, continued to remain at large.
We feel that there should not be any legal obstacle for countries, where the fugitives are now residing, to deport them to Bangladesh once the Bangladesh apex court has given its verdict on the case. We are confident that no country that subscribes to the rule of law or conforms to the values of civilised society, or to the tenets of universal human rights would allow anyone associated with one of the most gruesome killings of our time, to use its land as a safe haven by the self-confessed killers of Bangabandhu and his family.
The AL government has been trying to get the fugitives extradited ever since it first came to power in 1996. But its effort has stumbled for one reason or the other particularly because, as we understand, there was no extradition treaty between Bangladesh and some of the countries concerned. We feel that, where necessary, process of concluding extradition treaty should be commenced without delay.
We are sure that the Bangladesh government would take all necessary steps to bring the on the run killers of Bangabandhu home but we feel that there should be renewed diplomatic offensive on the part of the government, particularly since it has a pretty good sense where the six fugitives are at the moment. If need be, special emissaries may be sent to the countries of refuge in order to convey to them the transparent and open legal process that was followed in the case and that all due process of law had been strictly adhered to. The fact that it has taken 13 years for the trial to be completed testifies to this. Also the media of the countries concerned could be briefed and persuaded to publicise this issue.
It is much more than a matter of law and of a legal process being completed. It must be understood by all that the matter has great moral, ethical and emotional significance for the people of Bangladesh since it is related to the killing of the man who led us in affirming our identity as Bengalees and giving us a renewed sense of dignity and self-esteem.
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