1. Tribunal targets fair trial:  by Ashutosh Sarkar  in The Daily Star, July 19
Dhaka: The war crimes tribunal has announced the rules of procedure for probe, prosecution and trial.
Published in a gazette on July 15, the rules say the tribunal will start trying those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in 1971 once it has formal charges placed before it.
The prosecution will prepare a charge on the basis of reports by the investigation agency, and submit it to the tribunal in the form of a petition.
Shahinur Rahman, registrar of the tribunal, presented the gazette at a press briefing at his office yesterday afternoon.
He said the tribunal can amend or modify the rules if necessary for fair trial.
The rules shall be considered to have taken effect from March 25, the day the government formed the tribunal, prosecution panel and investigation agency for war crimes trial.
The three-member tribunal, instituted under International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973, can try a person in his presence or absence.
The judges will take cognisance of an offence after examining the formal charge, investigation report, documents and evidence submitted by a prosecutor.
They may dismiss a case if they deem the evidence is not authentic or strong enough to warrant a trial.
If an investigation report appears to offer a weak case, the chief prosecutor may initiate further probe or just stop the process.
The rules of procedure, drawn up under section 22 of the international crimes act, have provisions to ensure the defendants’ access to counsel.
If an accused is not represented by anyone, the tribunal will appoint a lawyer for his defence at the government’s expense.
The tribunal may also allow a foreign counsel for either party, provided that the lawyer has permission from Bangladesh Bar Council.
After taking an offence into account, the judges will issue process or warrant.
“If the process is returned unserved, the tribunal shall make an order to publish a notice in two daily newspapers, one in English and another in Bangla, asking the accused to appear before it,” read the rules.
If the accused still fails to show up, the case against him will be tried in absentia.
The investigation officer may obtain a warrant from the tribunal for arrest of a person if he can satisfy the judges that such arrest is necessary for proper investigation.
Police will produce an accused before the tribunal within 24 hours of his arrest excluding the time needed for the journey.
On his appearance before the tribunal, an accused shall be sent to prison provided he is not on bail.
The court will proceed to hear the case on the basis of the probe report and documents and materials attached.
If there are sufficient reasons to presume that the accused has committed an offence, it will frame charges and ask him if he admits the offence.
If the accused admits he has committed the offence, his admission shall be recorded in his own words.
Upon his confession, the tribunal may convict him accordingly or may preserve the statement for consideration at the time of trial and pronouncement of judgment.
If the tribunal believes that someone has documents or things necessary for the trial, it can order him to produce those before it.
It may also draw proceedings against a person for obstructing or abusing the trial process and disobeying its orders or directions.
“The tribunal may, for ensuring fair justice, appoint one or more amicus curiae to assist it in a particular case,” state the rules.
The tribunal will be at liberty to admit any evidence oral or documentary, print or electronic including books, reports and photographs published in the newspapers, periodicals and magazines, films and tape recording and other materials. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=147358

2. BNP national executive body meets July 31
Dhaka: The National Executive Committee of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will hold its maiden meeting on July 31 at Diploma Engineers’ Institution auditorium in the city with party chairperson Khaleda Zia in the chair
Party leaders said, members of the executive committee and presidents and general secretaries of district units will attend the meeting to discuss the latest organizational matters and the political developments in the country.
As per the BNP constitution, the meeting of the national executive committee will be held at least once in every six months. But the meeting can be convened anytime, if necessary, with the permission of the chairperson.
The party announced names of 386 members of the executive committee on January 1 this year — 22 days after holding the national council that re-elected Khaleda Zia the chairperson and elected her elder son Tarique Rahman the senior vice-chairman of the party. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=147375