Staff Reporter :
The trial of top commanders accused of crimes against humanity is expected to conclude within a year at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), according to Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam. Speaking at a national dialogue on Saturday, Islam highlighted the tribunal’s focus on prosecuting the primary perpetrators behind enforced disappearances, killings, and massacres.
The event, titled “Enforced Disappearance, Killing from July Carnage:
Challenges of Trial,” was held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka. It marked the second day of a two-day dialogue organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies (FBS), focusing on unity, reforms, and elections.
In response to a question from session moderator Monir Haider about the ICT’s capacity to handle large-scale trials, Tajul Islam outlined the tribunal’s priorities. “The ICT currently has 10 prosecutors and 17 investigating officers, focusing on prosecuting the masterminds who were in top leadership positions and orchestrated these crimes,” he said.
Islam emphasised that the tribunal’s goal is not to try thousands of individuals but to hold the principal figures accountable.
“Crimes against humanity have been committed nationwide, often with the involvement of political entities such as the Awami League and its affiliates, as well as certain law enforcement officials,” he stated. However, the ICT’s mandate is to focus on the most significant cases.
Tajul Islam also pointed to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as “the nucleus” of these crimes, indicating that the ICT is prioritising trials involving Hasina and other key figures under her administration.
“We aim to complete the trial proceedings of the prime accused within the shortest possible time. The tribunal has the capacity to achieve this, and we are optimistic about concluding these trials within the next year,” Islam remarked.
While the ICT focuses on top commanders, other lawsuits filed at police stations across the country concerning crimes against humanity are being handled by local courts. “The respective courts will determine the time required for these trials,” Islam explained.
Islam shared details of a conversation with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who emphasised the importance of prioritising trials for those who turned Bangladesh into “a haven of killings and enforced disappearances.” The Chief Adviser reportedly stressed that ensuring justice for these atrocities is a non-negotiable objective.
“There is no room for failure,” Tajul Islam concluded, reaffirming the tribunal’s commitment to delivering justice swiftly and effectively.
The ICT’s efforts to expedite trials signal a firm stance against impunity for crimes against humanity. While the tribunal’s capacity to try only top commanders raises questions about broader accountability, its focus on high-profile cases reflects a strategic approach to addressing past atrocities and restoring public trust in the judicial process. The coming year will be pivotal in determining the success of these efforts.
