Justice or politics?

Bangladesh has recently carried out executions of two prominent leaders over their alleged role in the 1971 war. At the time of these executions, the government banned social media networks etc to prevent any disorder in the country. The Awami League government had set up two tribunals which indicted more than a dozen men, almost all of whom were from the JI. While the Bangladeshi government has claimed that these executions were a way to seek the much sought-after justice and retribution for war crimes, opposition parties have declared these executions as politically motivated. Furthermore, human rights groups have criticised the trials saying they did not meet the international justice standards.
These executions have served no real purpose. They will only affect bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and may contribute to internal disorder and political instability in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi government should immediately halt these executions and respect the spirit of the Bangladesh, India and Pakistan agreement of April 9, 1974 which called for a forward-looking approach in matters relating to the 1971 war. Bangladesh should adopt a ‘forgive and forget’ policy and instead concentrate on other pressing issues in the country.
M Sayyad Alam Khan
Peshawar