We want Sheikh Hasina back, why not Quader and others: Information Adviser

Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman has said the government has taken initiatives to bring back fugitive accused including Obaidul Quader and Saddam. Discussions have been held with India, particularly on bringing back those who are currently in the country. The adviser asked, “We want Sheikh Hasina back, why not Quader and others?”

The information adviser made the remarks at a press conference on the progress of various government activities on Tuesday, September 15.

Referring to his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, the adviser said the issue of returning convicted accused was among the matters discussed during the meeting.

The adviser said India should consider returning not only Sheikh Hasina but also other accused including Obaidul Quader as part of a working engagement with Bangladesh. He also said this is one of the conditions for maintaining good relations between the two countries.

A court on Tuesday sentenced seven people including Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the activities banned Awami League, to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

The others sentenced to death are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information Mohammad A Arafat, activities banned Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan, banned Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.

The three member International Crimes Tribunal 2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict in the absence of the accused on Tuesday. The other two judges of the tribunal are Md. Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The information adviser also spoke about the local government elections at Tuesday’s press conference. He said the government’s decision on when the local government elections will be held is final.

The information adviser said the schedule announced by the Election Commission for the local government elections can be changed, postponed or brought forward after discussions with the government.

Zahed Ur Rahman said the state minister for local government has said that the government has no decision or fixed timeline for the local government elections. The Election Commission announced a date on its own. He said the government will accept the statement made by the state minister as the information available to it.

He said under the Constitution, the Election Commission has direct constitutional responsibility for holding presidential and parliamentary elections. Other elections have to be held by the Election Commission under the law in coordination with the government. Local government elections also fall under this framework.

Asked whether a gap had emerged between the government and the Election Commission over the schedule announced by the commission, the prime minister’s information adviser said there was no reason to view the matter as a conflict or gap. He said the date announced by the Election Commission can be changed through discussions with the government.