ICT bans spreading of Hasina’s speeches’

Staff Reporter :

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has directed authorities to remove all alleged “hate speeches” made by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from social media platforms and take measures to prevent their future dissemination across mass media.

The two-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order in response to a petition from the prosecution.

The secretaries of the ICT Division and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, along with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), have been tasked with implementing the directive.

Prosecutor Advocate Abdullah Al Noman emphasised that the order pertains specifically to hate speeches, as defined under the Rabat Principles, and not to political statements made by the former prime minister.

The Rabat Principles, which guide the evaluation of whether a speech constitutes a criminal offense, require consideration of elements such as context, speaker, intent, content, the extent of dissemination, and the likelihood of harm.

“The plea was filed to ensure that hate speech and incitement by Sheikh Hasina, which may intimidate witnesses or victims, do not interfere with the investigation process,” said Advocate Noman. He clarified that this step aims to safeguard the integrity of judicial proceedings.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim further elaborated on the allegations, stating that Hasina has made incendiary statements, including one where she allegedly claimed to have a “license to kill 227 people,” referencing the number of cases filed against her. These statements, according to the prosecution, amount to threats against victims and witnesses and could disrupt the legal process.

“Hate speech is a criminal offense in every jurisdiction globally, including Bangladesh,” Advocate Tamim noted. He underscored the importance of regulating such expressions to uphold justice and prevent societal harm.

The tribunal’s directive reflects heightened scrutiny on Sheikh Hasina’s actions and rhetoric in the aftermath of her political ouster. It also underscores the government’s efforts to maintain judicial independence while addressing concerns over the potential misuse of mass media for incitement.