Hangings in Bangladesh

Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mojaheed had been convicted of war crimes related to the events of 1971

Two elderly men were hanged in Bangladesh on November 22. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was the leader of the Bangladesh National Party and Ali Ahsan Mojaheed led the Jamaat-e-Islami. They had been convicted of war crimes related to the events of 1971 in a trial that was considered by international commentators to be deeply flawed. The defence team for both men was allowed four witnesses, the prosecution 41, amongst other inconsistencies. Their conviction and execution, so long after the events of 1971, traumatic as they were, will do nothing to draw a line under this unhappy period. Indeed, prior to the executions, Imran Khan had sent a letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, pleading that she forgive — or at least commute — the sentences. He argued that if the execution was stopped, it would be in the larger interests of the region and it is difficult to disagree with his viewpoint here.

It is also hard to view these executions outside the political environment of Bangladesh. Both of the men executed were prominent opposition political figures and had held government posts under past regimes. Opposition figures are now claiming the executions to be politically motivated and an attempt to eliminate key political personalities. Clarity in this matter is unlikely to be forthcoming in the foreseeable future. The wounds of 1971, on both sides, are far from healed and the execution of the two men will do nothing to accelerate the healing process or lessen the trust deficit between the two states. For its part, Pakistan must adjust the levels of rhetoric in line with historical reality. Bangladesh has protested against the Pakistani Foreign Office raising concerns over the hangings. We need to understand that a failure to acknowledge where we went wrong in our dealings with East Pakistan after 1947 will make it far less likely for the other side to understand our point of view. For both sides, the colonial legacy remains toxic; indeed it is toxic for the entire subcontinent. Hanging old men following a trial whose fairness is under serious question carries nobody forward.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th,  2015.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.