The violence and killings which took place across Bangladesh—including Dhaka—during the mass uprising in July and August last year do not qualify as genocide under international law, said Chief Prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Tajul Islam following the submission of an investigation report against Sheikh Hasina and two others
The investigation team submitted on Monday its report accusing Sheikh Hasina, the former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun of crimes against humanity in connection with the deaths of over a thousand people during the uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government.
Speaking at a press conference following the submission of the report, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam clarified that no charges of genocide were included in the case.
“According to the internationally accepted definition of genocide, the crimes that occurred in Bangladesh do not meet that threshold. These are classified as crimes against humanity, not genocide,” he said in response to a journalist’s question.
He added that while mass killings and massacres did occur, they do not meet the legal definition of genocide.
This marks the first time that a formal investigation has been completed against Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in the July uprising, in any case related to crimes against humanity.
The report accuses Sheikh Hasina of being the mastermind, commander, and superior authority responsible for orchestrating and ordering the acts of violence.
The investigation team has brought five specific charges against her under the category of crimes against humanity, which stem from the government crackdown during the July-August movement.
