Dhaka: So, the government has gazetted the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act (1973) to punish political parties, their affiliates, or support groups. The Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry published the gazette on Saturday night with the President’s approval.
Earlier, the Advisory Council of the interim government approved the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act to bring the Awami League to trial for alleged genocide during the July movement. At the end of a special meeting of the Advisory Council, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul briefed on this information.
The published gazette states that the President has promulgated the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, under Article 93(1) of the Constitution. According to the amended law, any organization, meaning a political party or its affiliate, associate, or collaborator, is considered to be involved in the activities of the organization, such as promoting, supporting, approving, assisting, inciting, conspiring, abetting, abetting, or collaborating in the offenses mentioned in section 3 of the law.
If the Tribunal finds that any organization has committed the offenses listed in subsection 2 of section 3 of this law or any other applicable law, then the Tribunal shall have the power to suspend or prohibit the organization’s activities, declare the organization prohibited, suspend or revoke its registration or license, and confiscate its property.
At the end of the Advisory Council meeting, in a press briefing by the Chief Advisor, it was stated that until the Awami League and its leaders are brought to justice at the International Crimes Tribunal, the decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act to ensure the country’s security and sovereignty, the safety of the leaders and workers of the July movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses at the International Crimes Tribunal.
Further necessary documents on this matter will be issued on the next working day, as stated in a press release. It was also mentioned that a decision has been taken to publish the declaration on July in the next 30 working days to conclude the announcement issued at today’s Advisory Council meeting.
Last year in August, the Awami League suffered an unprecedented uprising, leading to the resignation of the Prime Minister and the exodus of the party’s leader, Sheikh Hasina, to India. According to the United Nations, in that uprising ordered by Hasina, one thousand four hundred people were killed in violence, and thousands were injured. Some have suffered disabilities, while others have lost their eyesight.
Various political parties and organizations, along with students, have been carrying out protests for the past three days to demand the banning of the Awami League. In such a situation, the interim government informs the Awami League of the decision.
So, that’s all the information for now. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like this whole situation is a bit confusing. Let’s see how things unfold in the coming days.
