Chief Prosecutor: Trials against top brass to conclude within year

Mohammad Tazul Islam, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, has said that trials for crimes against humanity, which usually involve top commanders or key perpetrators, are expected to conclude within a year. Speaking at the first session, titled "Disappearances, Killings to July Genocide: Challenges of Justice," on the second day of a two-day dialogue on "Unity, Reform, and Elections," Tazul Islam made this remark. The event was held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Khamarbari, Dhaka, organized by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies.

During the session, moderator Monir Haider asked the Chief Prosecutor whether the tribunal’s capacity was sufficient to handle such widespread crimes against humanity, including genocide and enforced disappearances.

In response, Tazul Islam explained that the tribunal currently has 10 prosecutors and 17 investigators.

Their primary focus is to prosecute the masterminds and top-level individuals who orchestrated crimes such as disappearances, genocide, and crimes against humanity on Bangladeshi soil.

The tribunal, he noted, is not designed to try thousands of people and is not pursuing that direction.

He acknowledged that crimes against humanity occurred across the country and involved political connections with the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, as well as significant involvement from members of various law enforcement agencies.

He said that it would not be feasible for the tribunal to handle trials for all such crimes nationwide.

Tazul Islam emphasized that the focus remains on prosecuting the top commanders in crimes against humanity.

Referring to the genocide in July-August, he identified former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a key figure, alongside a few individuals under her leadership, whose trials are being prioritized.

He expressed the tribunal’s determination to conclude these trials swiftly, saying that they have the necessary capacity to do so.

According to him, trials for all primary accused in the tribunal will likely be completed within the next year.

He further said that criminal cases related to such offenses are ongoing in various police stations and regular courts across the country, and these trials will continue as per their respective jurisdictions.

Tazul Islam revealed that two days earlier, he had a conversation with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who emphasized the tribunal’s priority.

According to Yunus, the foremost priority is to prosecute those who turned the country into a haven for killings and disappearances and stained its soil with the blood of students and civilians.

He stressed that there is no room for failure in this regard.