JS condoles convicted 1971 War criminals
The first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday adopted a condolence motion that included the names of several leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a BNP leader who had been convicted of war crimes related to the 1971 Liberation War.
The motion was presented after the election of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and the deputy speaker at the opening session of the new parliament.
During the proceedings, lawmakers proposed including the names of former Jamaat amir Matiur Rahman Nizami, secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, assistant secretaries general Abdul Quader Molla and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, shura member Mir Quasem Ali and nayeb-e-amir Delwar Hossain Sayeedi.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed later confirmed that their names would be added to the condolence motion. He also approved the inclusion of former BNP lawmaker and standing committee member Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury.
All seven were previously convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
According to tribunal verdicts, the six Jamaat leaders and Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury were found guilty of offences including genocide, murder, rape and torture during the 1971 war. Sayeedi, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, died in prison, while the remaining six were executed between 2012 and 2016.
During the session, condolence motions were also presented in memory of several national and international figures, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia, former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Catholic leader Pope Francis and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
Opposition lawmakers later raised concerns that the condolence motion had initially omitted several names. Deputy opposition leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher urged the parliament to ensure neutrality and inclusiveness in such motions in the future.
Following further proposals from lawmakers, the Speaker approved the addition of several more names of former politicians and public figures.
The motion also commemorated individuals who died during the July uprising, including Abu Sayeed, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha, Shahariar Khan Anas, Mehdi Hasan Jewel and Farhan Faiyaz.
Before adopting the motion, lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in memory of the deceased. Prayers were later offered by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad.
