DHAKA — Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Mohammad Tajul Islam, has firmly stated that crimes against humanity committed during the July-August unrest will be prosecuted in Bangladesh, not at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after a briefing on several tribunal orders, Tajul Islam emphasized that Bangladesh has both the capability and determination to conduct these trials domestically through the ICT.
His comments came in response to a statement made by the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, who recently suggested in a television interview that the government was considering the option of sending the cases to the ICC for greater international visibility.
Addressing the suggestion, Tajul Islam said, “I have seen the Honourable Press Secretary’s comments in the newspapers. I haven’t spoken to him about this. But regardless of whether it’s genocide or crimes against humanity, the trials related to July and August will be held in our International Crimes Tribunal.”
He added that Bangladesh is fully equipped to hold these trials, with all relevant evidence, witnesses, and accused persons located within the country or nearby. “Therefore, it is only natural that the trials will take place in Bangladesh’s own courts,” he said.
While expressing openness to receiving technical assistance from the ICC if offered, Tajul Islam reiterated that the ICC’s jurisdiction only applies when a country is either unwilling or unable to prosecute such crimes — a condition he firmly stated does not apply to Bangladesh.
The debate over international prosecution surfaced after Toby Cadman, a special advisor to the Chief Prosecutor, met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on March 6 and suggested that the cases related to the student-public movement be brought before the ICC. The recommendation was later confirmed in a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office.
