?In line with the aspiration of the mass people, process is underway to try the war criminals of the Liberation War. But unfortunately, our opposition leader has opposed the trial. Not only this, she is trying to protect the war criminals by launching movement,? she said.
Hasina made the remarks to Bangladeshi media personnel after paying tributes to the memory of WAS Ouderland, the lone foreigner-recipient of gallantry award Bir Pratik for his historic contribution as a freedom fighter during the 1971 War of Liberation.
Hasina placed a wreath at Ouderland?s memorial and stood in solemn silence for a while to show respect.
Ouderland, a Dutch citizen, was posted as the CEO of Bata operations in the
then East Pakistan on the eve of the liberation war. Brutal oppression and occupation of unarmed Bangladeshis by the Pakistani occupation forces reminded him of the similar brutalities perpetrated by the Nazis in occupied Europe.
He felt the acute need to make the world aware of the extent of genocide. As he was able to move freely as a foreigner, Ouderland took photographs of the atrocities committed by the Pakistani army and their local agents, and then passed the photographs to the world press.
As the war progressed, Ouderland who had fought in the World War II as a Sergeant in the Dutch Royal Signals Corps, secretly began to train and assist local youths around the Tongi industrial area to acquire the skill of guerrilla resistance.
Ouderland lived in Bangladesh till 1978 before he was transferred to Australia. He later settled in Australia and died after prolonged illness at the age of 84 and laid to eternal rest in Perth.
The prime minister said none can stop the government from trying the war criminals.
?Trial of the war criminals is the demand of the people including the youths. The war criminals would certainly be tried,?? she said.
?Until the war criminals are tried, peace won?t be established and stability won?t come to Bangladesh,? she added.
Replying to a question about dilly-dally in trying the war criminals, Hasina said the criminals would surely be tried.
She said: ?We came to power in 1996 after 21 years. The war criminals and their patrons had been in power since the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975. Trial process has started and the war criminals would be tried.?
The Prime Minister recalled the great contribution of Ouderland to Bangladesh?s independence. ?The way a foreign national had fought for the liberation of our motherland is a great event to know by the young generation of Bangladesh,? she said. ?UNB
Source: daily-sun.com
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