Bangladesh authorities on May 11 executed Motiur Rahman Nizami [5] for war crimes during the the 1971 war of independence. Nizami, a leader of the banned political party Jamaat-e-Islami [6], was convicted for crimes including rape and genocide, and is the fifth JI leader to be executed. Party leaders called [7] on their followers to strike as a sign of opposition to the hanging. There has been international criticism [8] of the Bangladesh tribunals, while the government claims they are necessary [9] for the healing process to continue. The parliament of Pakistan has officially condemned [10] the hanging of Nizami.
Last week the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh [11] (ICTB) sentenced [12] four men to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 war. The ICTB, established in 2009 under the International Crimes Act [13], is charged with investigating and prosecuting war crimes committed during the conflict. Rights groups such as Amnesty International [14] have criticized [15] death sentences imposed by the ICTB, stating that the trials have "failed to meet international standards."
From Jurist [16], May 11. Used with permission.
