ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul stressed that priority should be given to bringing to justice the main suspects involved in crimes against humanity and enforced disappearances
TBS report
December 28, 2024, 1:25 PM
Last modified: December 28, 2024, 3:56 PM
Advisor on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Asif Nazrul. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
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Advisor on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Asif Nazrul. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
The trial into the July massacre will be completed by the next Victory Day, said Asif Nazrul, adviser on law, justice and parliamentary affairs to the interim government.
He made the remarks today (December 28) during the first session of the second day of the national dialogue titled ‘Unity, Reform and Elections’ organized by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital Khamarbari.
Nazrul said the interim government has three main tasks: genocide prosecution, reforms and elections.
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“As legal counsel, my primary responsibility is to prosecute cases of genocide,” he added.
The legal adviser said there were initially no judges or investigating officers at the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), and said a prosecution team was formed within a week.
“The judiciary cannot be questioned by expediting the judicial process. There will be no negligence in the judicial process and no delay in the judicial process,” he added.
While addressing the dialogue, Tajul Islam, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), emphasized that priority should be given to bringing to justice the main suspects involved in crimes against humanity and enforced disappearances.
“Crimes against humanity are generally tried against top commanders. At the center of the July massacre was former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This former prime minister and a few others under her will be given priority for trial,” he said.
According to the law, anyone convicted on ICT charges may be banned from participating in elections for life.
Tajul Islam said: “Our main focus is on the enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity that have occurred on the territory of Bangladesh. Of the main defendants who ordered these crimes, our priority is to bring them to justice. We can’t try thousands of people – that’s not possible. We are not moving towards that goal.”
Tajul emphasized the widespread and organized nature of these crimes, noting political leanings and the involvement of entire armed forces.
He added: “If we want to try everyone across the country, this tribunal will not be possible. In crimes against humanity, the main defendants are usually tried. That is why we are trying to bring Sheikh Hasina, who was the chief director, to justice. here, and a few people below her first.’
The chief prosecutor expressed hope that the trials against the main suspect could be completed within a year.
“We want to complete their process as quickly as possible. And we think everyone will be able to do that. However, the concerned court can say how long it will take to dispose of the cases filed in various police stations and courts.” he said.