Staff Reporter:
The interim government has formed the second International Crimes Tribunal to expedite trials over uprising-related violence and ease the workload of the first tribunal.
The new tribunal has been named International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2), and the old one has been renamed as International Crimes Tribunal-1. Former High Court Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury would be the chairman of ICT-2.
The move comes after a number of last year’s uprising leaders vented anger in the social media at government officials over the delays in prosecuting perpetrators of state-backed violence against uprising participants.
The “delays” were deliberate, some of the uprising leaders alleged. Many alleged that the government is trying to shield Awami League members, who led the attacks, over a misplaced sense of “human rights,” and over fears of backlash from powerful Awami League allies, including India.
Hasnat Abdullah, a key leader of the July-August uprising, claimed the second tribunal was expected to be constituted in January but was not formed almost five months later.
On Thursday, the Law and Justice Division of the law ministry announced the formation of the new tribunal. With ex-justice Nazrul Islam as chief, retired Dhaka district judge Md Manjurul Basid and Madaripur district judge Noor Mohmmad Shahriar Kabir have been named as members.
All the three judges would enjoy the benefits provided to High Court judges.
