USA

Letter From America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 8

Sun, 2013-05-26 12:15 — editor

In recent months, hundreds have died in Bangladesh as a result of political violence. As more International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentences are announced, the violence is likely to continue between the security forces and angry supporters of the political parties whose members are tried and sentenced. So, why are these trials taking place now – 42 years after country’s independence?

Letter From America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 8

Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 7

Sun, 2013-05-19 08:53 — editor

In 2010 the Government of Bangladesh (GOB), led by the Awami League (AL), set up an International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) court to prosecute the people who allegedly committed war crimes during the liberation war. It was part of her 2008 election promise and touted as an effort to "provide justice for victims of atrocities in the 1971 war of independence."

Letter From America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 6

Sun, 2013-05-12 07:44 — editor

On 24 January 1972 the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) promulgated the Collaborators Tribunal Order (1972) to try the collaborators of the Pakistan government - the so-called enemies within.

Letter From America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 6

Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 5

Sun, 2013-05-05 12:30 — editor

Crime should never be condoned and criminals need to be punished for their crimes. So, in the context of Bangladesh/East Pakistan of 1971 who should be punished for all those crimes that took the lives of so many – probably anywhere from 50,000 to 3 million, depending on whose version one accepts?

Bangladesh: A Nation Divided? – Part 4

Sun, 2013-04-28 05:01 — editor

How many people died in the civil war of 1971 in East Pakistan that culminated in the emergence of Bangladesh? Is the casualty figure even important?

Letter from America: Boston Bombing – the insane madness

Sun, 2013-04-21 12:59 — editor

I like athletics, although I don’t run or jog these days. My younger son is a good short distance runner and has won several regional awards in hurdles and relay races. Although he is a freshman in a university now, his school records in 110m hurdles and other such sprints still remain unbroken and may remain so for a while.

Letter from America: Boston Bombing – the insane madness

Letter from America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 3

Sun, 2013-04-14 01:50 — editor

After the promulgation of East Pakistan Razakar Ordinance of June 1, 1971, some Bengalis either volunteered or were recruited to work as a paramilitary force or collaborators for the Pakistan’s military regime. They were called the Razakars.

Letter from America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 1

Sun, 2013-03-31 11:31 — editor

March 26 is a very important day in the history of Bangladesh. It is celebrated as the Independence Day of Bangladesh although the true liberation of the country came some nine months later in 16 December, 1971.

Letter from America: Bangladesh – A Nation Divided? – Part 1

Letter from America: The Never-ending Pogroms in Myanmar

Sun, 2013-03-24 12:21 — editor

It was not too long ago that we witnessed the grisly massacre of minority Rohingya Muslims in the Arakan (Rakhine) state of Myanmar (Burma). Many of the western observers who grew up seeing the smiling face of Dalai Lama were simply shocked to see armed Buddhist monks participating in that ethnic cleansing of the unarmed Rohingya Muslims.

Letter from America: The Never-ending Pogroms in Myanmar

Letter from America: The 10th anniversary of Iraq Invasion

Sun, 2013-03-17 12:44 — editor

During the first Gulf War I was surprised by the wild and obscene enthusiasm for the war displayed by a colleague of mine whom I considered to be one of the most liberal Americans.