Legal experts demand ICT Act provision banning party responsible for July killings
Lawyers, rights activists, and leaders of various social organisations called for amending the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act to permanently ban the political party responsible for mass killings and crimes against humanity during the recent student-led uprising.
At a discussion organised yesterday by the law ministry on amending the ICT act, they also focused on prosecuting leaders and activists of the political parties or organisations, from the grassroots to the central level who are involved in killings and crimes against humanity.
Participants expressed that merely banning the party would not suffice. They warned that leaders implicated in these crimes could easily join other political parties when power shifts, thereby evading justice. To prevent this, they too must be held accountable and brought to justice.
At the meeting, Omar Farooq, senior assistant secretary of the law ministry, presented the proposed amendments of the law.
He said this is a preliminary draft proposing amendments to eight sections of the law. It will be made available on the law ministry’s website for further review. This draft will be updated after gathering feedback from experts and the people.
Key proposals in the amendments include a 10-year ban for political parties and organisations implicated in mass killings or crimes against humanity, prosecuting the parties who fail to take action against such crimes, allowing defendants to hire foreign lawyers and live-streaming trial proceedings and permitting local and foreign observers to monitor court proceedings with tribunal approval.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua stressed the importance of an international ban, noting that if a party is prohibited within the country, it should also be banned globally to prevent them from operating from abroad.
Social activist and Dhaka University student Syed Abdullah emphasised the need for a permanent ban on such parties. Sanjida Islam, convener of Mayer Daak, echoed the same.
Since the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal in 2010, defendants have not received the same privileges as state lawyers. There is a call for amendments to ensure equal opportunities.
Rights activist Barrister Sara Hossain recommended including provisions for the appointment of international judges to the Tribunal.
Law adviser Asif Nazrul said, “We want justice, not revenge. The terrible murders we’ve seen are shocking; it’s hard to believe that a fellow citizen can commit such atrocities against their own people. The impact has harmed an entire generation. The trial must be acceptable to all involved.”
Adviser to the Local Government, Rural Development, Cooperatives and Land Ministry AF Hasan Arif, Adviser to the Industries, Housing and Public Works Ministry Adilur Rahman Khan, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Secretary Law and Justice Department Md Golam Rabbani, Acting Secretary to Parliamentary Affairs Division Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Election Commission Reform Commission Chairman Badiul Alam Majumdar, Senior Lawyer ZI Khan Panna, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam and others also participated in the meeting.
