DHAKA, June 11, 2023 (BSS) - Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said adequate data have been found to try Jamaat-e-Islami for war crimes.

"There are adequate data. The information that came to International Crimes Tribunal is enough to try Jamaat for war crimes. We would send the relevant act to the cabinet soon for amendment. But we cannot declare Jamaat guilty until the final judgment," he said.

The law minister said these while replying questions of newsmen at 'Meet the Reporters' organized by Law Reporters' Forum (LRF) at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium this noon.

Replying to a question on BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the law minister said as per article 66 of the constitution, none can take part in the election, if he/she is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years on conviction for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude.

"As per the constitution, Khaleda Zia has no scope to take part in the election. As fugitive Tarique Rahman has also been convicted, he too will not be able to take part in the election. If she (Khaleda Zia) joins any political meeting, it would prove that she is fit. Naturally if she is fit, then it's her responsibility to serve the remaining sentence. Term of her sentence is yet to finish," he said.

The law minister said the government has no plan to hold dialogue over upcoming election.

While talking about the recently announced US visa policy, Anisul Huq said he has informed its envoy Peter Haas that it's surely humiliating for Bangladesh, adding, "If this step is even taken against the opposition here, it is humiliating."

"I have told the US envoy that if this policy is used logically, we have nothing to say. But if it is used against any particular party, then we have objections against it. We are not upset over the visa policy. It is the pledge of the Awami League government to hold a free, fair and neutral election," he added.

Talking about Digital Security Act, the law minister said many countries across the globe have similar acts to tackle cyber crimes and said the government had talks about this with the concerned people of the UN.

"Even they have called for keeping the act. But emphasis was laid on some amendments. Now steps have been taken so that none gets arrested right after filing of the case. A cell has been formed to monitor this. We would move for next phase only after scrutinizing the prima facie of the case, so that none gets harassed and the act doesn't get misused," Anisul further said.

Presided over by LRF president Ashutosh Sarker, the programme was conducted by its general secretary Ahammed Sarwer Hossain Bhuiyan. Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwer and joint secretary Bikash Kumar Saha were present at the function, among others.