International Crimes Tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam has said that his office is being forced to rush through ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity cases due to political uncertainty surrounding the upcoming national elections.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion in Dhaka on Saturday, organized jointly by the Commission on Enforced Disappearances and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Tazul Islam noted that there is concern over whether the next elected government, expected to take office after the February elections, will continue the trials.
“Because of this, I cannot carry out the work with the level of perfection that is required. We are being compelled to move too quickly,” he admitted.
He explained that the tribunal is dealing with cases of killings during the July uprising as well as enforced disappearances and other crimes committed under the Awami League government. Failing to file formal charges in these cases would be a “major failure,” he cautioned.
“There are more than 1,800 enforced disappearance cases, each with multiple branches. It is practically impossible to investigate them thoroughly within a few months. But we are forced to attempt this, fearing that the next government may not take the process forward,” he said.
Tazul Islam stressed that political parties must understand the gravity of these crimes. “If justice is not delivered, these crimes could return to Bangladesh. That would be the nation’s greatest misfortune,” he warned.
He further stated that perpetrators cannot be shielded by their official positions or affiliations. “An offender is simply an offender, no matter how high their office. Protecting such individuals only obstructs justice and is itself a crime,” he added.
Other speakers at the event included Law Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul, Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Commission Chair Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, and senior human rights adviser of the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in Dhaka, Huma Khan.
