Govt prepares to ink extradition treaties with India, UK, US

Bangabandhu killers to be brought back
The government is expected to sign extradition treaties with India, the UK and the USA, paving the way for handing over criminals from one signatory country to another, it was learnt yesterday.
After signing of the proposed extradition treaties, the Bangladesh government will take fresh initiatives to bring back the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the countries concerned and also the Bangladeshi terrorists, who are hiding there.
At the same time, India, the UK and the US governments can ask Bangladesh government to send back terrorists or nationals of those countries who are in jail or may be hiding in the country, sources added.
State Minister for Home Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj yesterday told The Independent that the government is discussing signing extradition treaties with some friendly countries to bring back the killers of Bangabandhu from there.
“We will take necessary initiatives to complete the process of signing the extradition treaties with these countries through consultation with the law ministry and the concerned authorities,” he said.
The state minister also said that the government would bring back those people who are in different jails and police custody of the foreign countries, on charges of terrorist activities and illegal entry.
At a meeting with the State Minister for Home Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarti handed over a list of Indian terrorists, who are “hiding in this country”.
“Prisons in both countries house a number of illegal intruders. We have discussed ways to extradite them,” Pinak Chakravarti told reporters after the meeting.
“We have also requested the minister to step up vigil over the Indian terrorists, who are staying in the country,” he said.
He said that a home secretary-level meeting will be held after assumption of office by the new Indian government to discuss regional terrorism and extradition of the illegal intruders hiding in both countries.
State Minister Sohel Taj said that they have discussed the hiding criminals of both the countries and the extradition issues.
“A good number of Bangladeshi terrorists are hiding in India. We discussed their arrests and extradition issues,” he said.
Sources said that the governments of USA, UK and India have asked Bangladesh to sign extradition treaties with their countries.
In 2005, a draft of the extradition treaty, prepared by the Indian side, was sent to Bangladesh government for scrutiny. But the previous BNP-led alliance government did not examine the draft.
The present Awami League-led 14-party alliance government is trying to complete the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu and the jail killing case. Most of the killers of Bangabandhu are staying in different countries including USA and Canada.
The government is also trying to stop terrorist activities in the country and the government has urged the Indian government to send back the terrorists who are hiding in India.
It has become a common practice for the criminals of this region to take shelter in the neighbouring countries to evade arrest.
According to the sources, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry with Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni in the chair on April 14 last, where matters relating to signing of extradition treaties with some friendly countries including USA, UK and India were discussed.
It has been learnt that the scrutiny of the draft is almost complete and it would be sent to the concerned ministries including law and foreign affairs ministries for their approval.
 The sources said that during a Home Secretary-level talks between Bangladesh and India, both the countries agreed to sign an extradition treaty and agreement for mutual legal assistance.
About 5,000 foreign nationals including those from Myanmar and India, are now staying in different jails in Bangladesh.
 “Some of them have already completed their jail terms but they are not allowed to leave the country due to the absence of an extradition treaty,” the sources said. Around 200 criminals including top terrors are staying in India illegally.
Dhaka has also handed over to Delhi a long list of wanted criminals who have taken refuge in Kolkata and other parts of India to avoid arrest in Bangladesh.
India has requested Bangladesh to return United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leader Anup Chetia and others. Their jail terms ended in February 2003.
 It may be mentioned that the country has extradition treaty only with Thailand.
 
Courtesy of The Independent