Support Shahbagh Spring

Since February 5, 2013; initiated by a group of bloggers and online activists, thousands of people have been on a round-the-clock protest at Shahbagh (an intersection adjusent to Univercity of Dhaka).

We are demanding punishments for killings, rape, arson, torture committed during our war of independence in 1971.

During 1971, far-right parties (Muslim League, Jamat-e-Islam, KSP, Nezam-e-Islam) allied with the Pakistan army and were part of killings, arson, rape. Conservative estimates suggests THREE MILLION people were killed and HALF A MILLION WOMEN raped. The magnitude of these atrocities were so severe that TEN MILLION people took shelter mostly in WB and Tripura states of India.

Jorge Harrison wrote a song about the plight of Bangladesh ('Bangladesh') and organized a concert (concert for Bangladesh) in NY.

Today, already one of the activist (Rajib) has been hacked to death. This assult carries all the hallmark of Islami Chattra Shibir (Islami Student Forum, student wing of Jamat-e-Islam). Another activist has died of heart attack.

After 40 years we have a chance to ensure justice for those suffered so much for our independence.

Spread the word. Demand justice.

Who do you want to punish now though? It has been 42 years. Most of the people that committed those crimes are probably dead by now.

Il Diavolo wrote:Who do you want to punish now though? It has been 42 years. Most of the people that committed those crimes are probably dead by now.

Currently six people are on trial for their role (assisting and instigating) in the murders, rape, arson etc.

Five of those are leaders of Jamat-e-Islam while the other is a leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. To my knowledge, only two the key collaborators has died (of natural causes, unfortunately). The oldest one on trial (Gulam Azam) is in his eighties while the rest are in their sixties and seventies.

So far two has been found guilty. One has been sentenced to death but he has been on the run for months. Another has been given life imprisonment (a sentenced deemed too soft for his crimes). Both are leaders of Jamat-e-Islam.

Il Diavolo wrote:Who do you want to punish now though? It has been 42 years. Most of the people that committed those crimes are probably dead by now.

Currently six people are on trial for their role (assisting and instigating) in the murders, rape, arson etc.

Five of those are leaders of Jamat-e-Islam while the other is a leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. To my knowledge, only two the key collaborators has died (of natural causes, unfortunately). The oldest one on trial (Gulam Azam) is in his eighties while the rest are in their sixties and seventies.

So far two has been found guilty. One has been sentenced to death but he has been on the run for months. Another has been given life imprisonment (a sentenced deemed too soft for his crimes). Both are leaders of Jamat-e-Islam.

iftikhar wrote:

Il Diavolo wrote:Who do you want to punish now though? It has been 42 years. Most of the people that committed those crimes are probably dead by now.

Currently six people are on trial for their role (assisting and instigating) in the murders, rape, arson etc.

Five of those are leaders of Jamat-e-Islam while the other is a leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. To my knowledge, only two the key collaborators has died (of natural causes, unfortunately). The oldest one on trial (Gulam Azam) is in his eighties while the rest are in their sixties and seventies.

So far two has been found guilty. One has been sentenced to death but he has been on the run for months. Another has been given life imprisonment (a sentenced deemed too soft for his crimes). Both are leaders of Jamat-e-Islam.

Hmm. Oh well, I guess that's a good thing. Justice should be served. If it were in my control, I would have all of the Jamat-e-Islami executed for the idiots they are.

We are still a long (very long) way from ensuring justice. Since the trials began Jamat-e-Islam (JI) and Islami Chattra Shibir (ICS) has been engaged in violent confrontation (to intimidate the administration and create chaos). They have mentioned about violence (murder, arson) and THEY ARE SUSPECTED OF KILLING ONE OF THE INITIATORS OF SHAHBAGH SPRING. There are also indications that they are lobbied with US, UK, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi government and personnel to stop the trial.

Not only in 1971, since they emarged in 1978 JI and ICS has been engaged in violance that may have killed an estimated 2000 people. Several noted Pakistani (Imran Khan, Hamid Mir and Air and Naval Chiefs during 1971) wants their government to appologise for the crimes in 1971.

Spread the word. Demand justice.