Human Rights Watch called on Thursday for Bangladesh to investigate threats to defence lawyers and witnesses at a court probing alleged war crimes from the nation’s 1971 war of independence. The court, set up last year to try people suspected of carrying out atrocities during Bangladesh’s bloody nine-month battle against Pakistan, is due to start its first trial on November 20. “Harassment of defence counsel and witnesses further tarnishes a flawed process,” Brad Adams, Asia director at the New York-based watchdog, said.“If the Bangladeshi government wants these trials to be taken seriously it must (make) sure that lawyers and witnesses don’t face threats or coercion.” Threats have been made against lawyers representing Delawar Hossain Sayedee – a leader of the Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami who is charged with 20 counts including crimes against humanity and genocide, the campaign group said.
