Monday 9 May 2016

Nizami

“I condemn the mentality that sentences a ‘mujahid’ to death, who has neared the age of 70 and who we believe has no earthly sin. I consider such proliferation of hatred there and the understanding that orders such death sentences despite our repetitive initiatives neither as a fair governance nor as a democratic mentality.” - Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President , Turkey.

The person for whom the Turkish President is so concerned is none other than Motiur Rehman Nizami , the Ameer of Jamait- E- Islami in Bangladesh. Recently the supreme court of Bangladesh upheld the death sentence passed against this man , who his now in his seventies, for crimes against humanity during the 1971 liberation war. This relates to his involvement in the genocide and massacre of minorities and intellectuals unleashed by the brutal Pakistani army in alignment with the infamous Razakar , Al-Badr and Al-Shams forces. Nizami, was also a former M.P. and minister in ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia’s cabinet.

The present Awami league government has been very consistent in pursuing the cases related to the 1971 genocides which is a big blot on humanity . They have persistently followed up on the cases after forming the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) and the accused have been given a fair trial involving the process of law and appeals.Though some people , mainly from the Islamic fundamentalist organisations and the opposition Bangladesh National Party headed by Ms Khaleda Zia , have termed the trials as politically motivated and vindictive in nature , it is very apparent that a legal process has been followed instead of a kangaroo court or a shariah style of justice which the detractors themselves preach . No body can fault the Bangladesh government on this count.

Now , the trial, sentence and death penalty of the accused found guilty as per the laws of the land is an internal matter for any country and others should not poke their nose into it. That said , it is not surprising that Pakistan has protested against the death sentence to Nizami , as they had done in earlier cases also . These people involved in the genocide, rape, loot and other atrocities on the Bengalis in 1971 were , after all Pakistani stooges. And with the affinity of the Pakistan government with the various Islamic fundamentalist organisations , it is not entirely unexpected , though irritating.

What is more surprising is that of all foreign countries , The Turkish President Erdogan has made a statement as - “I condemn the mentality that sentences a ‘mujahid’ to death, who has neared the age of 70 and who we believe has no earthly sin. I consider such proliferation of hatred there and the understanding that orders such death sentences despite our repetitive initiatives neither as a fair governance nor as a democratic mentality.” This sort of interference clearly shows what or how Erdogan is placing himself as well as Turkey and why some countries like Russia consider him to be the biggest threat along with Saudi Arabia. This also gives credence to the theories floating about his involvement with the funding, arming and dealing with the ISIS .

Meanwhile there are instances of pressure from influential circles who are trying to save Nizami and his ilk. The best way to do that is to raise questions about the transparency of the trial and the provision for death penalty. Former US envoy for war crimes affairs Stephen J Rap said no death sentence is reasonable under international rule. Two co-chairmen of US Congress Human Rights Commission have in a statement called upon the Bangladesh government not to execute the death sentence of Nizami. The US continues with its muddleheaded policy and interference into the affairs of other countries. They also continue to support the different Islamic fundamentalist groups and organisations inspite of being at the receiving end of the Jihadi ideology espoused by such formations. It may be recalled that US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had telephoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stop the execution of the death penalty of Abdul Quader Mollah who was hanged in Dec 2013. . The US continues with its muddleheaded policy and interference into the affairs of other countries with their limited world view and selfish interests.

Bangladesh is presently witnessing a major civil strife between the Islamic fundamentalist forces and the civil society believing in democratic values. Often we hear about the murders of rationalists, atheists and secular people there. The Government headed by Ms Sheikh Hasina , in spite of its many faults has been a last line of defence standing between the democratic state and the prospect of a Taliban-ISIS like Bangladesh . The people of Bangladesh should understand that the forces which want them to become a wet version of Afghanistan have nothing to do with religion. They would push the country to the dark ages and only cause destruction änd devastation to the place which is called "Sonar Bangla".

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