‘No treatment, no release’ dictated
Staff Reporter :
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Muhammad Tajul Islam, stated on Sunday that the then-Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, had instructed a hospital during her visit in late July 2024 to withhold treatment from victims of the mass uprising and to deny their discharge.
Speaking at a press briefing at his office at noon, the ICT Chief Prosecutor revealed: “We, the prosecution, visited the National
Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor), commonly known as Pongu Hospital, to speak with victims of the July-August mass uprising and their families.
The patients receiving treatment there informed us that Sheikh Hasina had visited the institute on 27 July and explicitly directed the doctors and hospital authorities to refuse treatment and prevent any patient from being discharged.”
Muhammad Tajul Islam further alleged that Hasina’s orders were intended to ensure that no victim could recover and return to the streets to participate in the anti-government movement.
“The prosecution has already gathered evidence to substantiate this claim. In addition to the patients at the hospital, doctors have also confirmed this information. We have officially reported this to the tribunal today,” he stated.
When questioned by a reporter, the ICT Chief Prosecutor elaborated that hospital authorities had been prohibited from conducting post-mortem examinations on those who perished during the July-August mass uprising.
Furthermore, death certificates were not issued following administrative directives.
“Even when individuals were killed by gunfire, their families received death certificates citing causes such as fever or other illnesses.
The police even attacked families attempting to bury their loved ones or participate in funeral ceremonies,” Muhammad Tajul Islam stated.
He also mentioned that the tribunal had inquired about the missing post-mortem reports, which serve as crucial evidence.
“We informed the tribunal that the then-authorities had coerced victims’ families into conducting hasty burials without post-mortem examinations. These acts constitute clear evidence of crimes against humanity,” he said.
Tajul Islam confirmed that the prosecution would meticulously examine all evidence of Hasina’s actions, subject them to forensic analysis, and submit them to the tribunal in accordance with legal procedures.