The Vires of Pre-Charge Terror Detention in Pakistan and the Uk: a Liberal Critique and Comparison

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Vires of Pre-Charge Terror Detention in Pakistan and the Uk: a Liberal Critique and Comparison THE VIRES OF PRE-CHARGE TERROR DETENTION IN PAKISTAN AND THE UK: A LIBERAL CRITIQUE AND COMPARISON MUHAMMAD FAYAZ MSc Sociological Research, University of Manchester LLM Human Rights Law, University of Warwick LLB University of Peshawar, Pakistan A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Central Lancashire October 2018 Page 1 of 272 DECLARATION Type of Award: Doctor of Philosophy School: Lancashire Law School 1. Concurrent registration for two or more academic awards I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other academic or professional institution. 2. Material submitted for another award I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission for an academic award and is solely my own work. 3. Collaboration I declare that this is my sole research project and that it was not carried in collaboration, whatsoever, with anyone. Signature of Candidate: Print name: MUHAMMAD FAYAZ Page 2 of 272 ABSTRACT This research examines the treatment of terror detainees during pre­charge detention in Pakistan and the UK. Pakistan is the principal focus and the UK acts as a comparator thereto. Suspected terrorists are more vulnerable to maltreatment during pre­ charge detention. Their vulnerability increases more in a country like Pakistan where more than 60,000 people have died in various terrorist attacks. Arguably, there is no case­ study on the topic in Pakistan and the UK has not been used as a comparator. This scholarship, therefore, attempts to fill the gap by evaluating the treatment of terror detainees during pre­charge detention in Pakistan by using relevant human rights law and principles as a yardstick and the UK as a comparator to the main case. This scholarship uses liberal critique research methodology assessing pre­charge terror detention in the following six themes: the period of pre­charge terror detention; police interrogation and questioning; internal police review mechanisms; police records; the rights of a terror suspect to contact the outside world; and the detention conditions. The relevant anti­terror legislation of the two countries will be used to find the law on the topic. The related provisions in the UDHR, ICCPR and UNCAT will also be used to find out how we ought to treat terror detainees in a criminal justice system. The results show that the UK fulfils most of its human rights obligations, while Pakistan does not. The UK provides a maximum period of 14 days for pre­charge detention, while Pakistan has 90 days. A terror suspect can be interrogated for up to two hours at a time in the UK, while police interrogation sessions in Pakistan are unlimited. The UK includes internal police review mechanism as a check on the special powers of the police, while there is no such arrangement in Pakistan. The countries also differ in their police records, the rights of a terror suspect to contact the outside world and the detention conditions. Consequently, Pakistan can arguably learn from the UK’s experience on the topic. Page 3 of 272 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title 1 Declaration 2 Abstract 3 Table of Contents 4 Acknowledgements 8 Abbreviations 9 Chapter One 10-37 Introduction 1.0 Background 10 Part I 1.1.0 WHAT? The Main Focus of this Research 14 1.1.1 The Legal Nature of Pre­charge Detention 17 1.1.2 The Period of Pre­charge Detention 21 1.1.3 Police Interrogation and Questioning 22 1.1.4 Internal Police Review Mechanisms 23 1.1.5 Police Records 24 1.1.6 Rights of a Terror Suspect to Contact the Outside World 25 1.1.7 Detention Conditions 26 1.1.8 The Main Argument of the Thesis 26 Part II 1.2.0 WHY? The Research Purposes 30 Part III 1.3.0 HOW? The Methodology 32 Part IV 1.4.0 Thesis Structure 35 Chapter Two 38-73 Literature Review 2.0 Introduction 38 Part I 2.1.0 Theoretical Framework 39 2.1.1 Conservative Approaches to Security 40 2.1.2 Liberal Critique of the Conservative Approaches to Security 46 Page 4 of 272 Part II 2.2.0 Liberal and Conservative Stances on the Treatment of Terror Suspects 55 2.2.1 The Period of Pre­charge Detention 56 2.2.2 Police Interrogation and Questioning 57 2.2.3 Internal Police Review Mechanisms 58 2.2.4 Police Records 59 2.2.5 Rights of a Terror Suspect to Contact the Outside World 59 2.2.6 Detention Conditions 60 Part III 2.3.0 Indicating a Niche 62 Part IV 2.4.0 Conclusion 71 Chapter Three 74-103 Human Rights Law Regulating Pre-charge Terror Detention 3.0 Introduction 74 Part I 3.1.0 Human Rights Law in General 75 3.1.1 International Human Rights Law 75 3.1.2 Regional Human Rights Laws for the UK and Pakistan 80 3.1.3 Domestic Human Rights Laws for the UK and Pakistan 82 Part II 3.2.0 Human Rights Law Regulating the Treatment of Terror Suspects 86 3.2.1 The Period of Pre­charge Detention 86 3.2.2 Police Interrogation and Questioning 95 3.2.3 Internal Police Review Mechanisms 99 3.2.4 Police Records 100 3.2.5 Rights of a Terror Suspect to Contact the Outside World 100 3.2.6 Detention Conditions 101 Part III 3.3.0 Conclusion 102 Chapter Four 104-151 Pre-charge Terror Detention in Focus: An Assessment of the Law and Practice in the UK 4.0 Introduction 104 Part I 4.1.0 Major Terror Incidents in the UK 106 Part II 4.2.0 Pre­charge Terror Detention in the UK: Law, Practice and Assessment 111 Page 5 of 272 4.2.1.A. The Period of Pre­charge Detention: Law and Assessment 112 4.2.1.B. The Period of Pre­charge Detention in Practice 125 4.2.2. A. Police Interrogation and Questioning: Law and Assessment 127 4.2.2.B. Police Interrogation and Questioning in Practice 130 4.2.3. A. Internal Police Review Mechanisms: Law and Assessment 135 4.2.3.B. Internal Police Review Mechanisms in Practice 139 4.2.4. A. Police Records: Law and Assessment 139 4.2.4. B. Police Records in Practice 140 4.2.5.A. Rights of a Terror Suspect to Access the Outside World: Law and Assessment 142 4.2.5.B. Rights of a Terror Suspect to Access the Outside World in Practice 144 4.2.6.A. Detention Conditions: Law and Assessment 146 4.2.6.B. Detention Conditions in Practice 148 Part III 4.3.0 Conclusion 149 Chapter Five 152-228 Pre-charge Terror Detention in Pakistan: An Assessment of the Law and Practice 5.0 Introduction 152 Part I 5.1.0 Major Terror Incidents in Pakistan 154 Part II 5.2.0 Pre­charge Terror Detention in Pakistan: Law, Practice and Assessment 169 5.2.1.A. The Period of Pre­charge Detention: Law and Assessment 169 5.2.1.B. The Period of Pre­charge Detention in Practice 197 5.2.2. A. Police Interrogation and Questioning: Law and Assessment 200 5.2.2.B. Police Interrogation and Questioning in Practice 205 5.2.3. A. Internal Police Review Mechanisms: Law and Assessment 209 5.2.3.B. Internal Police Review Mechanisms in Practice 212 5.2.4. A. Police Records: Law and Assessment 213 5.2.4. B. Police Records in Practice 216 5.2.5.A. Rights of a Terror Suspect to Access the Outside World: Law and Assessment 218 5.2.5.B. Rights of a Terror Suspect to Access the Outside World in Practice 220 5.2.6.A. Detention Conditions: Law and Assessment 221 5.2.6.B. Detention Conditions in Practice 223 Part III 5.3.0 Conclusion 225 Page 6 of 272 Chapter Six 229-255 Conclusion 6.0 Introduction 229 Part I 6.1.0 Lessons for Pakistan 230 6.1.1 The Period of Pre­charge Detention 231 6.1.2 Police Interrogation and Questioning 239 6.1.3 Internal Police Review Mechanisms 240 6.1.4 Police Records 242 6.1.5 Rights of a Terror Suspect to Contact the Outside World 243 6.1.6 Detention Conditions 244 Part II 6.2.0 Lessons for the UK 246 6.2.1 The Period of Pre­charge Detention 246 6.2.2 Police Interrogation and Questioning 249 6.2.3 Internal Police Review Mechanisms 250 6.2.4 Police Records 251 6.2.5 Rights of a Terror Suspect to Contact the Outside World 252 6.2.6 Detention Conditions 252 Part III 6.3.0 Further Research and Implications 252 Bibliography 256-272 Page 7 of 272 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Today, this task is accomplished by the grace of Allah Almighty who is the most Merciful. It was He who gave me the courage, enthusiasm and health for the four consecutive years to complete this research. Mankind cannot thank His bounties because these are in great abundance. I would like to express my gratitude for my director of studies, Dr Ian David Turner for his wonderful supervision. Each supervisory meeting with Dr Turner has been an inspiring delight. Dr Turner’s kind help and advice has always encouraged me to go further up the steep curve. He always made himself available each time I contacted him.
Recommended publications
  • Sasha Paul Final Thesis
    PAKISTAN AGAINST ITSELF: THE RISE OF EXTREMISM By Sasha J Paul Bachelor of Arts, Dalhousie University, 1997 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in the Graduate Academic Unit of History Supervisor: David Charters, PhD, Department of History Examining Board: Gary Waite, PhD, Acting Director of Graduate Studies, Chair J. Marc Milner, PhD, Department of History Lawrence Wisniewski, PhD, Department of Sociology This thesis is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK April 2014 ©Sasha J Paul, 2014 ABSTRACT An analysis of Pakistan’s political, social, institutional and regional history reveals two principal problems facing the state: first, the enmity that developed between Pakistan and India following partition, has morphed into an overwhelming national obsession with India which has supported unbridled growth of Pakistan’s security institutions at the expense of Pakistan’s ability to govern its own people. Second, despite the lofty aims of Mohammad Ali Jinnah to build his country into a modern democratic and secular state, the confluence of certain key factors have prevented Pakistan from ever moving towards this ideal. This study will examine the complex web of factors that have spawned Pakistan’s current situation as a failing nuclear state such as: the outstanding grievances from the partition of colonial India and subsequent conflicts, support of the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan and the social, institutional, and economic domestic factors. Pakistan’s overt and tacit support of extremists is a double-edged sword that undermines at any semblance of stability for this country as it grapples with a growing number of suicide attacks, targeted killings, kidnappings, increased criminal activity and rising drug addiction, yet the status quo continues with little expectation of positive change.
    [Show full text]
  • A Stranger in My Own Country East Pakistan 1969-1974
    A Stranger in Ny Own Contry East Pakistan, 1969-1971 repreoduced by Sani H. Panhwar A Stra nger inm yow n c ountry Ea stPa kista n, 1969-1971 Ma jor Genera l (Retd) Kha dim Hussa inRa ja Reproducedb y Sa niH. Pa nhw a r C O N TEN TS Introduction By Muhammad Reza Kazimi .. .. .. .. .. 1 Chapter 1 The Brewing Storm .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Chapter 2 Prelude to the 1970 Elections .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 Chapter 3 The Rising Sun of the Awami League .. .. .. .. .. 22 Chapter 4 The Devastating Cyclone of November 1970 .. .. .. .. 26 Chapter 5 A No-Win Situation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 Chapter 6 The Crisis Deepens .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Chapter 7 Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan in Action .. .. .. .. .. .. 42 Chapter 8 Operation Searchlight .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 Chapter 9 Last Words . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 63 Appendix A .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70 Appendix B .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 71 Appendix C .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 78 Introduction B y M uham m adReza Kazim i History, it is often said, 'is written by victors'. In the case of East Pakistan, it has been written by the losers. One general,1 one lieutenant general,2 four major generals,3 and two brigadiers4 have given their account of the events leading to the secession of East Pakistan. Some of their compatriots, who witnessed or participated in the event, are still reluctant to publish their impressions. The credibility of such accounts depends on whether they were written for self-justification or for introspection. The utility of such accounts depends on whether they are relevant. On both counts, these recollections of the late Major General Khadim Hussain Raja are of definite value. They are candid and revealing; they are also imbued with respect for the opposite point of view.
    [Show full text]
  • Post-Independence Period
    Chapter 10 Post-Independence Period The Indian interest in the Psychological Warfare after the Independence has been more spasmodic than episodic. It has been used in shooting wars; counter-insurgency and proxy wars and peacekeeping operations without its practitioners having much benefit of institutionalised doctrinal, organisational, policy and plan back up. But whenever and wherever, the Psychological Warfare has been resorted to, it has given encouraging results. The military activities of this time of ours can be classitied into three categories, viz., Wars, the Proxy War and Counter-Insurgency Operations for the sake of better appreciation. There was not much of any Psywar of any kind in the fust three wars India fought after the partition-independence, including 1948 Kashmir War, Sino- Indian Border War of 1962, and Indo-Pak War of 1965. The war and security related attitudes and psychological iinpact did develop before, during and aft;er the hostilities and maybe the media coverage of those wars played a role in forming the attitudes. But that cannot be called the Psywar. It just happened. It is difficult to get any official confirmation, but it was learnt during a visit to Tawang-Sela-Bomdila sector in April 1999 that in 1962 the Chinese had dropped leaflets having portraits of an Indian soldier, a Chinese soldier and a local tribal juxtapositioned to reinforce their theme question to the people of then NEFA, 'who looks more like you? An Indian or Chinese.' No specimen of the pan-Mongolian appeal could be found either but it appeared to be plausible in some context.
    [Show full text]
  • Accountability for the Crimes of the 1971 Bangladesh War of Liberation
    Completing the Circle: Accountability for the Crimes of the 1971 Title Bangladesh War of Liberation Author(s) Linton, S Citation Criminal Law Forum, 2010, Volume 21, Number 2, p. 191-311 Issued Date 2010 URL http://hdl.handle.net/10722/124770 Rights Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License Criminal Law Forum Ó Springer 2010 DOI 10.1007/s10609-010-9119-8 SUZANNAH LINTON* COMPLETING THE CIRCLE: ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE CRIMES OF THE 1971 BANGLADESH WAR OF LIBERATION I INTRODUCTION There are many policy issues that need to be considered when a country and its people start to deal with horrors that are 39 years old. The trial process is a critical part of that, but it is not the only issue to deal with. It is essential for Bangladesh to develop a comprehensive, coherent and principled strategy for dealing with its past. It has not done that yet. The country is at a critical juncture, and it falls on the government to seize the opportunity to make the most of a process of accountability. Any trial process, especially of such a charged matter as the crimes of the liberation war, must meet international standards in order to have any legitimacy, honour the victims and provide some kind of redress to survivors. But that is not enough. After 38 years, the damage to the fabric of society is immense, and a properly conducted trial process opens a window of opportunity to repair some of the harm. The gov- ernment must respond appropriately. My purpose in this paper is not to address the important wider issues of how Bangladesh should deal with the legacies of its past.
    [Show full text]
  • Torture in Bangladesh 1971-2004
    TORTURE IN BANGLADESH 1971-2004 MAKING INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS A REALITY AND PROVIDING JUSTICE AND REPARATIONS TO VICTIMS AUGUST 2004 REALISED WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS The Redress Trust 87 Vauxhall Walk, 3rd Floor London, SE11 5HJ Tel: +44 (0)207 793 1777 Fax: +44(0)207 793 1719 Website: www.redress.org 1 TORTURE IN BANGLADESH 1971- 2004 INDEX I. INTRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 4 II. CONTEXT OF TORTURE IN BANGLADESH ................................ ................................ .. 5 A. POLITICAL HISTORY..............................................................................................................................5 B. TORTURE AND OTHER SERIOUS ABUSES COMMITTED IN THE COURSE OF THE 1971 WAR.....7 i. Violations attributed to Pakistani forces and “collaborators”..................................................................................................7 ii. Violations attributed to the Mukthi Bahini and Bengali civilians.............................................................................................8 C. THE PRACTICE OF TORTURE IN BANGLADESH FROM 1971-2004...................................................9 III. BANGLADESH’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION IN DOMESTIC LAW ................................ ................................ .......... 13 A. INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS .........................................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • To All Hands. Don't Squeeze Yahya at This Time “India Won a Glorious
    To all hands. Don't squeeze Yahya at this time “India won a glorious victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war. It was the first decisive victory in a major war in centuries. And it was won single-handedly, in the face of opposition and threats from a majority of the UN member-States, including a Super Power. Every Indian patriot felt proud of this glittering chapter in the nation’s history.” These were the introductory words of Dr. S.N. Prasad who wrote the Official History of the 1971 War. It is unfortunate that this publication is still ‘restricted’ today and the people of India can not have access to the history of their ‘glittering’ past (the account of the less ‘glittery’ 1962 episode, particularly the Henderson Brooks Report is even more ‘restricted’). I am not usually a great defender of the United States’ policies, but I have to admit that in the field of ‘right to information’, the US Administration’s honesty and respect for the past is far greater than the one displayed by the Indian babus who obstinately continue to block access to India’s modern history under the lame pretext that it will “endanger national security”. Was it a coincidence, but the day India was mourning with full military honours Lt. Gen. J.S. Aurora, the hero of the 1971 War, the Office of the Historian in the US State Department released Volume XI of the Foreign Relations of the United States consecrated to the “South Crisis, 1971”: in other words, the Bangladesh Liberation War.
    [Show full text]
  • “History of BANGLADESH” Victory Day (বিজ붼 বিিস - Bijoy Dibos), 16Th December 1971 Declaration of Independence, March 26, 1971
    Research Paper “History of BANGLADESH” Victory Day (বিজ붼 বিিস - Bijoy Dibos), 16th December 1971 Declaration of Independence, March 26, 1971 Submitted by: Radwan Chowdhury www.RadwanChowdhury.info | [email protected] Phone: +1-904-759-6644 | +88-0183-149-3878 | +971-50-296-1628 Social Media: FB.com/RadwanChowdhury | Twitter.com/RadwanChowdhury Submitted To: Our Youth Supporting Organization (s): UDiON Foundation Web: www.udionfoundation.org | E-mail: [email protected] Social Media: FB.com/UdionFoundation | US Phone: 1-347-70-UDiON Submission Date: November, 5, 2013 Tags: Developing Countries | Government-NGO Relations | Non-Governmental | Policy Advocacy Groups | Public Health | Activists | Gender InEquality | Women’s Empowerment | Education | Poverty | Children’s | Diversity | Organizations | Press and Media. Read it Forward * Out Innovate * Out Educate * Out Build © Copy Right | RADWAN CHOWDHURY | All Rights Reserved Page 1 of 10 Victory Day (বিজ붼 বিিস - Bijoy Dibos): is a national holiday in Bangladesh celebrated on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Allied forces High Command over the Pakistani forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The Commanding officer of the Pakistani Forces General AAK Niazi surrendered his forces to the Allied forces commander Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, which marked ending the 9 month-long[1] Bangladesh Liberation War and 1971 Bangladesh genocide and officially secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh. History: The Bangladesh Liberation War (Bengali: মুক্তিযুদ্ধ Muktijuddho) was a South Asian war of independence in 1971 which established the sovereign nation of Bangladesh. The war pitted East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan, and lasted over a duration of nine months.
    [Show full text]
  • Denying the Denial: Reappraisal of 'Genocide' in East Pakistan1
    Artha-Journal of Social Sciences 2017, Vol. 16, No. 4, 1-24 ISSN 0975-329X|https://doi: 10.12724/ajss.43.1 Denying the Denial: Reappraisal of ‘Genocide’ in East Pakistan1 Husnain Iqbal* Abstract The conflict in erstwhile East Pakistan, especially during 1970-1, was one of the bloodiest and most contested in the post-WWII era. While Bangladesh has always called it genocide, Pakistan has always denied both the intent and the scale of killings. This paper argues that the struggle of East Pakistanis to form their own country was reduced to a civic-political demand and not an ethnic-based claim to distinct nationalism. Revisiting Bangladesh‟s claims of genocide based on primary and archival material, this paper posits that the violence unleashed in former East Pakistan amounted to the systematic wiping out of the ethnic distinctiveness of its people through ideological, economic, political and military means. This paper contends that the recognition of the massacre in former East Pakistan during its Liberation Struggle as genocide is not only ethically demanded, but this recognition also demands a qualitative widening of the existing legal understanding of genocide. Keywords: Genocide, Bangladesh Liberation War, East Pakistan, War crimes, Ethnic cleansing * Forman Christian College (Lahore) and South Asian University, New Delhi, India; [email protected] 1 Artha-Journal of Social Sciences, Vol.16, No. 4 ISSN 0975-329X Introduction In 1971, one of the bloodiest conflicts of post-Second World War era occurred in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. According to different sources, anywhere from 26000 to 3000000 East Pakistanis became victims of atrocities committed by the Pakistani military and paramilitary.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhutto a Political Biography.Pdf
    Bhutto a Political Biography By: Salmaan Taseer Reproduced By: Sani Hussain Panhwar Member Sindh Council, PPP Bhutto a Political Biography; Copyright © www.bhutto.org 1 CONTENTS Preface .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 1 The Bhuttos of Larkana .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 2 Salad Days .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 3 Rake’s Progress .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 4 In the Field Marshal’s Service .. .. .. .. .. 35 5 New Directions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 45 6 War and Peace 1965-6 .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 7 Parting of the Ways .. .. .. .. .. .. 69 8 Reaching for Power .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 9 To the Polls .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 102 10 The Great Tragedy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 114 11 Reins of Power .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 125 12 Simla .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 134 13 Consolidation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 147 14 Decline and Fall .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 163 15 The Trial .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 176 16 The Bhutto Conundrum .. .. .. .. .. 194 Select Bibliography .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 206 Bhutto a Political Biography; Copyright © www.bhutto.org 2 PREFACE Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a political phenomenon. In a country where the majority of politicians have been indistinguishable, grey and quick to compromise, he stalked among them as a Titan. He has been called ‘blackmailer’, ‘opportunist’, ‘Bhutto Khan’ (an undisguised comparison with Pakistan’s military dictators Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan) and ‘His Imperial Majesty the Shahinshah of Pakistan’ by his enemies. Time magazine referred to him as a ‘whiz kid’ on his coming to power in 1971. His supporters called him Takhare Asia’ (The Pride of Asia) and Anthony Howard, writing of him in the New Statesman, London, said ‘arguably the most intelligent and plausibly the best read of the world’s rulers’. Peter Gill wrote of him in the Daily Telegraph, London: ‘At 47, he has become one of the third world’s most accomplished rulers.’ And then later, after a change of heart and Bhutto’s fall from power, he described him as ‘one of nature’s bounders’.
    [Show full text]
  • Bangladesh's Genocide Debate; a Conscientious Research
    Bangladesh’s genocide debate; A conscientious research Collective and institutional commissions of crimes diminish the self-recognition of culpability; individual responsibility loses its meaning once it is applied to a group or a community that shares a common membership and is associated through the perpetration of a crime. Often this is applied to mass atrocities such as genocide. The perpetrators believe they are invincible since they act within a social structure that dictates their actions and make them feel part of a collective criminal project, which in return weakens any sense of personal liability. “Where all are guilty, no one is; confessions of collective guilt are the best possible safeguard against the discovery of culprits, and the very magnitude of the crime the best excuse for doing nothing” - Hannah Arendt This paper will explore this notion by implementing it to the commission of war crimes, and will examine how the concept of power and particularly imposition of control and avoidance of responsibility facilitates its realization. It will outline a definition of war crimes and analyse the legal safeguards and frameworks that have been implemented in order to prevent their happening. The paper will further theoretically unravel the notion of political power and authority, and will subsequently examine how the two phenomena are interrelated – how powerful individuals and States are able to evade the law or use it to their own advantage while disregarding human rights, in order to pursue political objectives. This paper will further set out an approach of analysing this powerful juridical-political superstructure of the State apparatus through drawing an example with the war crimes and genocide committed over the East Pakistani people (present-day Bangladesh) during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
    [Show full text]
  • IN the SUPREME COURT of BANGLADESH Hasan Foez
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BANGLADESH APPELLATE DIVISION PRESENT: Mr. Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Chief Justice Mrs. Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana Mr. Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain Mr. Justice Hasan Foez Siddique CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.103 OF 2013. (From the judgment and order dated 17.07.2013 passed by the International Crimes Tribunal-2 ( ICT-2) in ICT-BD Case No.04 of 2012.) Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid: Appellant. =Versus= The Chief Prosecutor, International Respondent. Crimes Tribunal, Dhaka, Bangladesh: For the Appellant: Mr. Khondker Mahbub Hossain, Senior Advocate with Mr. S.M. Shahjahan, Advocate, instructed by Mr. Zainul Abedin, Advocate- on-Record. For the Respondent: Mr. Mahbubey Alam, Attorney General(with Mr. Murad Reza, Additional Attorney General, Mr. Momtazuddin Fakir, Additional Attorney General, Mr. Biswajit Debnath, D.A.G., Mr. Ekramul Hoque, D.A.G., Mr. Masud Hasan Chowdhury, D.A.G., Mr. Khondaker Diliruzzaman, D.A.G., and Mr. Bashir Ahmed, A.A.G., instructed by Syed Mahbubar Rahman, Advocate-on-Record. Date of hearing : 29.04.2015, 04.05.2015, 05.05.2015, 06.05.2015, 17.05.2015, 24.05.2015, 23.05.2015 and 26.05.2015. Judgment on: 16-06-2015 JUDGMENT Hasan Foez Siddique, J: This statutory appeal, by convict Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid (the appellant), has been filed under section 21 of the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act, 1973 2 (in short, ICT Act) against the judgment and order dated the 17th day of July, 2013 by the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) in ICT- BD Case No.04 of 2012 (The Chief Prosecutor v.
    [Show full text]
  • Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Vs. President
    Case Judgement 23/12/2020, 120 AM P L D 1998 Supreme Court 388 Present: Sajjad Ali Shah, C.J., Saleem Akhtar, Fazal Ilahi Khan, Zia Mahmood Mirza, Irshad Hasan Khan, Raja Afrasiab Khan and Munawar Ahmad Mirza, JJ Mohtarma BENAZIR BHUTTO and another---Petitioners versus PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN and others---Respondents Constitutional Petitions Nos.58 and 59 and Civil Miscellaneous Applications Nos.805, 935, 806 and 848 of 1996, decided on 29th January, 1997, reasons released on 13th September, 1997. Per Saiiad Ali Shah, C.J.; Saleem Akhtar, Fazal Ilahi Khan, Irshad Hasan Khan, Raja Afrasiab Khan and Munawar Ahmad Mirza, JJ. agreeing: Zia Mahmood Mirza, J. Contra- (a) Constitution of Pakistan (1973)--- ----Preamble & Art.239---Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act (XVIII of 1985), Preamble---Eighth Amendment to the Constitution has come to stay in the Constitution unless it is amended in the manner prescribed in the Constitution. (b) Constitution of Pakistan (1973)--- ----Arts. 58(2)(b) & 184(3)---Dissolution of National Assembly and dismissal of Prime Minister and the Cabinet by the President under Art.58(2)(b) of the Constitution---Grounds---Validity---President, under Art.58(2)(b) of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), in his discretion can dissolve the National Assembly where he forms opinion on the basis of material before him having nexus with the Dissolution Order and Art.58(2)(b) of the Constitution that situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and appeal to the electorate is necessary---Once the evil is identified, remedial and corrective measures within the Constitutional framework must follow---Theory of total breakdown of Constitutional machinery as the only ground for dissolution of National Assembly having been rejected in the case of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif v.
    [Show full text]