Prime Minister’s Information Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman said that some “journalists” currently arrested in connection with the July incident are responsible for crimes against humanity that are worse than murder cases. However, he did not name any of the imprisoned individuals.
Zahed Ur Rahman said this in response to questions from journalists at a weekly press conference to brief them on the activities of the current government at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Information Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman highlighted the recent initiatives taken by various ministries and departments. Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and Additional Secretary (Broadcasting) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Shah Alam were present at the press conference.
Zahed Ur Rahman said, “Those (journalists) who are imprisoned are not imprisoned in genocide cases. They are imprisoned in a few specific murder cases. However, I think they can be held somewhat responsible for genocide. In fact, it is not even genocide, but murder against humanity. There was no genocide in July, but there were murders against humanity, which Sheikh Hasina has been doing for a long time.”
He gave an example, saying, “Disappearances have been happening for a long time, it is a systematic crime, a crime against humanity, and (the murder) happened in July.” “Some of those against whom such (murder) cases have been filed have crimes greater than murder cases. But the question is whether they are responsible for crimes against humanity or not?” The information advisor said, noting that this is his personal position.
Advisor Zahed gave the example of World War II and said that when the Nuremberg Trials or Tokyo Trials were taking place, those who created narratives in some form or another about the commission of those killings were also brought to justice. That is why, before I took over as Information Advisor or before the last parliamentary election, I said, ‘The cases in which they were arrested are wrong.’
In response to a question, the advisor said that the government will also take appropriate action against those (journalists) who have not yet been arrested in similar cases.
The issue was raised by the leaders of the NOAB (News paper owners’ broad casting association ) & the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has assured that he will try in this regard, said Zahed Ur Rahman. He also said at the time, this is a judicial process, the government cannot do anything here at will. The government will definitely do as much as possible on behalf of the government by collaborating with the judiciary.
Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman also said that efforts are being made to investigate the allegations of negligence that have recently been made against the former interim government regarding the measles vaccine. The purpose of the investigation is to verify and then come to a conclusion. He also said that efforts will be made to start the investigation quickly. He said that he will also talk to the Prime Minister in this regard if necessary.
In response to a question about whether the government will investigate allegations of negligence during the interim government’s tenure regarding measles vaccination, the advisor said, “I am personally trying to work on a formal investigation, talking to the Ministry of Health. I hope the government will conduct an investigation. More importantly, who was responsible or at least trying to catch and punish someone, is where the problems occurred.”
Zahed Ur Rahman said, “An investigation helps in the future so that similar incidents do not happen again. That is why I personally think that at least an investigation should be done and I am trying to do so. I will talk about this. If necessary, I will also talk to the Prime Minister.”
Government has not decided to abolish Upazila Parishads
The information advisor said that the elections to local government institutions will begin at the end of this year. Some preparations are needed for this. That has also been announced in advance by the Ministry of Local Government. The current government has not taken any decision to abolish the Upazila Parishad. Zahed Ur Rahman believes that the decision to create rooms in the Upazila Parishad for the members of parliament to sit in has not reduced the power of the Parishad.
