International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam has called the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on the July-August student-led mass uprising irrefutable evidence of crimes against humanity, reports UNB.
“This report will be used in the trial of those involved in the incident, including the government of Sheikh Hasina, at the International Crimes Tribunal,” he said during a briefing at his office on Thursday afternoon.
Tajul Islam said, "There is no major difference between the OHCHR report and the evidence found by the ICT investigation agency. The report clearly states that the Awami League party, along with its front organizations Chhatra League and Jubo League, and various security forces, used deadly weapons on people. This was done under the specific planning and direction of party leader and then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, party General Secretary Obaidul Quader, and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal."
The Chief Prosecutor also said that it is important to take steps to temporarily suspend various forces and government officials who have preliminary evidence of crimes against humanity, following the law and as advised by the UN.
He added that officials from different organisations or forces can be tried for crimes against humanity under the International Crimes Tribunal Act. “This tribunal is the right place to try those involved in crimes within the forces.”
“No person or institution is above the state,” he emphasised. He also mentioned that if a crime is proven to be committed by a group, action can be taken against the entire group, but the state’s initiative is necessary in such cases.
The fact-finding report titled ‘Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh’ was released on Wednesday (February 12).
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
