Former presidents Abdul Hamid and Mohammed Shahabuddin have been accused of crimes against humanity after two separate complaints were filed against them with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday.
The complaints were submitted by Bangladesh Azad Party and the Rashtra Sanglap Forum, both alleging that the former heads of state failed to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities during periods marked by enforced disappearances, killings and other serious human rights violations.
In its complaint, Bangladesh Azad Party alleged that Hamid and Shahabuddin remained silent while enforced disappearances, murders, secret detention centres known as Aynaghar and other alleged abuses took place during their time in office, effectively providing indirect support to those crimes.
Speaking to reporters after filing the complaint, party leaders argued that despite receiving salaries and benefits from public funds, the two former presidents did not carry out their constitutional duties properly.
They claimed neither president took any meaningful steps to prevent or protest against the alleged abuses committed before August 5, 2024.
The party also said the president, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, possesses significant constitutional authority but alleged that both former presidents failed to use those powers to protect citizens or prevent violations of human rights.
In a separate complaint, Rashtra Sanglap Forum`s Central Member Secretary Al Noor Mohammad Ayas called on the ICT to investigate Shahabuddin`s alleged role in the July Uprising, including accusations related to shootings, torture, killings and enforced disappearances.
The forum also sought an independent inquiry into whether Shahabuddin bore any legal responsibility for the 2024 national election and alleged human rights violations committed during the July mass uprising.
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