By IANS,
Dhaka: The ongoing trial for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war should be made accessible to all, a visiting US official said Monday.
“Given the historic importance of this trial to Bangladesh, the region, and the world, the proceedings should be conducted in a manner that is open and accessible to all,” US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Stephen J. Rapp was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.
Ideally, the trial should be broadcast on television or radio, or weekly reports be aired that would show key testimony, arguments, rulings, he said.
“If this is not possible in Bangladesh, neutral observers should be permitted to follow the trials and produce daily and weekly reports that would be available through the internet and other media,” Rapp said.
More than three million people were killed and many more were left homeless, while thousands of women are also believed to have been raped during the 1971 war, according to the BBC.
The trial began Nov 20 in a special court in Dhaka. Seven people, mostly from Bangladesh’s two main opposition parties, are facing trial.