The upcoming War Crimes trial is playing out domestically in expected and unexpected ways.
It was altogether expected that the BNP would try to despoil the proceedings by alleging partisan motives–members of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a member of the previous ruling BNP coalition, stand to be accused of war crimes. Moreover, it was expected that the Awami League would drape itself, head to foot, ear to ear in the Green and Red flag and that at least a few members of the government prosecution team would be considered too politically connected to serve out their duties blamelessly.
However, one can be forgiven for not expecting the proceedings to be so rancorous and so deeply colored with tones of murder and treason. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has publicly declared that she fully expects those individuals considered war criminals–members of Jamaat–to engage in politically disruptive activity, outright sabotage, and subversive, violent acts. Consider the gravity of the charge: the President of the ruling party, herself, the Prime Minister, has just voiced an opinion that a member of the previous ruling coalition might engage in criminal activity. Moreover, members of her cabinet have claimed that members of the BNP might be indicted for War Crimes.
Moreover, the Prime Minister has alleged that she has received intelligence from friendly countries that her life is at risk. She claims that there is credible evidence that partisan arraigned against the War Crimes Trial might seek to neutralize her, and thereby neutralize the threat they perceive to be directed against their interests. Her claims come right at the heels of an announcement yesterday where BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia promised to oust the AL government through country-wide mass protests.
It seems that by conflating the BNP’s–stretched, but valid– criticisms with its anti-AL rhetoric, the Prime Minister is trying to paint the BNP as the party of traitors and war criminals. In a word, Hasina wants Bangladeshis to think, the BNP are: anti-people.