The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood website has posted a statement rejecting the trials of Bangladeshi Jamaat-I-Islami leaders on war crimes charges calling them “unjust and unfair trials that violate all international norms and conventions.” According to the statement:
Friday, February 8, 2013 17:52 IkhwanWeb With the wind of freedom blowing through the world, and in spite of international conventions that prohibit infringement on public and private freedoms, the trial in Bangladesh of seven leaders of the Islamic group (Jamaat-e-Islami) went ahead there before exceptional courts and with political rather than criminal charges. While we reject and condemn these unjust and unfair trials that violate all international norms and conventions, we call upon all States, and in particular Muslim countries, and international bodies and institutions to apply all pressure to put right these trials and lift the injustice befalling political detainees in Bangladesh and to apply pressure, politically and morally, to stop this human tragedy. One of the purposes of our Sharia (Islamic law) is to safeguard people’s lives and honor. God Almighty also prohibited injustice for all believers. We must uphold Islam’s high values, principles and ideals, which certain parties talk about as they apply them only selectively. We stress the need to release all those detained in custody pending investigations into this highly politicized case; and if necessary, they should receive a fair trial before their natural judges and with safeguards to ensure for them the rights enshrined in all constitutions and charters of the free world. Every individual, authority and institution should carry out their respective roles and duties rejecting these unjust trials. We warn all those who take charge of our Muslim nation not to use their power in acts of injustice, oppression or revenge against the people or to get rid of regime opponents. We are confident that the Islamic Summit Conference held in the Egyptian capital Cairo, after the glorious January 25 Revolution, will have a supportive attitude to the causes of our Muslim nation. We pray to God to guide them to serve the best interests of the nation, make restitution to the people, and lift injustice for all the oppressed. ‘Think not that God is unaware of what the wicked do. He only gives them a respite…’ (Quran – 14:42). The Muslim Brotherhood Cairo – February 7, 2013 ”
A post from last week reported on violent demonstrations held by supporters of the Jamaat-i-Islami in Bangladesh protesting the war crimes conviction of party’s fourth most senior official. A post from last October reported that the war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh was planning to charge U.K. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin with 18 counts of murder and will be facing the death penalty in Bangladesh. A post from April initially reported on the investigation and charges against Mr. Mueen-Uddin.
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI )was founded in 1941 and had it’s origins in the thoughts of Maulana Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi (1903-79), the most important Islamist intellectual in the history of Southeast Asia. Maududi was also a major influence on the global Muslim Brotherhood with whom the JEI has long enjoyed close relations. In the United States, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is generally considered to represent the JEI.