Latest news with #InternationalCrimes(Tribunals)Act
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sheikh Hasina charged with crimes against humanity: The court in question, what she is accused of
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal accepted on Sunday (June 1) that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could be charged with crimes against humanity. The court directed investigators to produce Hasina, as well as a former home minister and a former police chief, before the court on June 16. Hasina has been in exile in India since August 2024, when an uprising led to the culmination of her 15-year reign in power. Bangladesh sent a formal request to India to extradite Hasina in December 2024. What is the standing of this court, and what is Hasina accused of? We explain. The tribunal was established under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act. It was passed two years after the Liberation War of 1971 led to the formation of Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan. The Act provided for the 'detection, prosecution and punishment of persons for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under International Law committed in the territory of Bangladesh during the war of Liberation, particularly between 25 March to 16 December 1971.' It was seen as necessary, given the bloody nine-month period of fighting unleashed by the forces of West Pakistan, which rejected the results of the 1970 general elections. In East Pakistan, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (the father of Sheikh Hasina), won 160 of the 162 electoral seats. However, the ruling establishment of Pakistan refused to accord legitimacy to the win to restrict the growth of a popular, Bengali nationalist sentiment. As a result of brewing discontent in East Pakistan due to the imposition of West Pakistan's cultural and political ideas over the years, it had the opposite effect, and protests broke out. On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military began a brutal crackdown that saw the mass slaughter of Bengalis and the influx of Bangladeshi refugees into India. The conflict ended on December 16, days after India formally declared war on Pakistan on December 4. How was the tribunal formed? According to the book Trials for International Crimes in Asia (2015), some 82,000 members of the Pakistani armed forces and some 11,000 civilians were taken as prisoners of war or internees by the joint command of the Bangladesh and Indian forces. The Act was passed in 1973 to try 195 prisoners of war who were alleged to have committed war crimes. However, in February 1974, 'Pakistan recognised Bangladesh as an independent state and the relationship between the two countries improved.' Bangladesh then granted clemency to the 195 suspects, and they were repatriated to Pakistan. More than three decades later, the Hasina-led Awami League government 'revived the idea of trials, declaring its intention to prosecute members of the political opposition for war crimes.' To do so, it amended the Act in 2009 to include civilians under its ambit and formed a three-member tribunal, known as the International Crimes Tribunal. Among the first people it prosecuted were members of the political opposition, including the Jamaat-e-Islami. The party was opposed to the liberation of Bangladesh and advocated for remaining with Pakistan, but has maintained that it did not commit atrocities during the war. According to an AFP report, under Hasina, the ICT sentenced more than 100 people to death. The court was often criticised by rights groups for not following international conventions. For instance, the book notes that the 1973 Act permits trials in absentia (without the accused present), despite the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights asserting a person's right to be tried 'in his presence'. Hasina was ousted following weeks of protests, initially led by students who opposed a controversial court decision to extend a quota in public jobs and education. The quota was for the children and grandchildren of people who fought in the Liberation War. The government agreed to the protesters' demands on scrapping the quota, but the situation worsened after Hasina equated the protesters with the descendants of the razakars – those who led the brutal repression during the 1971 war. Over time, it coalesced into anti-Hasina protests, and the subsequent police crackdown saw more than 450 people killed. According to the Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star, five specific charges have been brought against Hasina. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam submitted the complaint to the tribunal, including counts of murder, attempt to murder, and other 'inhumane' acts. The defendants were accused of 'inciting, facilitating, being complicit in, and failing to prevent these crimes committed against civilians by law enforcement and armed cadres of the Awami League and its affiliates.' Second, Sheikh Hasina is accused of 'ordering the extermination of student protesters through the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons.' It then accuses them in the case of the murder of Abu Sayed, a protesting student, near Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. 'Sheikh Hasina is accused of making inflammatory remarks and ordering the use of deadly weapons against protesting students,' the report said. There are two other cases mentioned – the shooting and murder of six unarmed protesters in Dhaka's Chankharpul and the shooting of six student protesters in Ashulia. Rishika Singh is a Senior sub-editor at the Explained Desk of The Indian Express. She enjoys writing on issues related to international relations, and in particular, likes to follow analyses of news from China. Additionally, she writes on developments related to politics and culture in India. ... Read More
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Yunus Regime's Political Vendetta Deepens Bangladesh Crisis
Last Updated: The interim government's political vendetta has become increasingly apparent, as has the growing shadow of disapproval cast over the Yunus administration The interim government has now been in power for nine months, yet Bangladesh remains trapped in a cycle of political turmoil and uncertainty. On one side, political parties are more fragmented than ever before, while on the other, the interim administration continues to struggle with addressing the country's persistent socio-economic and political challenges. Although the interim government was established with broad consensus among civil society, political leaders, and the military following the mass uprising of 2024, the interim government under Muhammad Yunus has faced considerable difficulties since its formation. Indeed, much of the disorder that has engulfed the nation since last August can be attributed to the Yunus administration. While there was initial enthusiasm for a reformed Bangladesh, free from its authoritarian legacy, the interim government has largely proven to be a passive administration, repeatedly mired in controversy. It could be argued that the criticisms directed at the Yunus administration originate from remnants of the deposed Hasina regime. Yunus has secured considerable support from global leaders, thereby legitimising the interim government and receiving strong endorsement primarily from Western countries in its pursuit of reforms and conduct of elections. Nonetheless, domestically, the legislative initiatives intended to implement reforms have encountered opposition not only from some of the very factions that contributed to the establishment of the interim government but also from international human rights organisations. Key legislative measures include the Cyber Protection Ordinance, amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, and the Anti-Terrorism Act. The state of media freedom in Bangladesh remains deeply concerning, with numerous reports of violence, harassment, censorship, and prosecution of journalists and media outlets. Often these outlets are being accused by the interim government as collaborators with the Awami League—contradicting its commitment to uphold press freedom. The introduction of the Cyber Protection Ordinance, which replaced the contentious Cyber Security Act (CSA), quickly sparked apprehension regarding the government's surveillance practices under the guise of enhancing cyber security. Organisations such as Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) criticised the ordinance for being approved without adequate public consultation and for retaining CSA's surveillance provisions, thereby posing a potential threat to media freedom in the future. This development coincided with the interim government's cancellation of press accreditation for 167 journalists and the filing of charges of 'crimes against humanity" against 25 journalists due to their alleged links with the Awami League government, provoking condemnation from human rights groups. Media freedom remains a critical concern, exhibiting patterns reminiscent of the previous administration. The most recent report by the Rights and Risk Analysis Group (RRAG), published on World Press Freedom Day 2025—when Bangladesh ranked 149th out of 180 countries—revealed that in the eight months under Dr Yunus's interim government, 640 journalists were targeted. The administration's efforts to suppress media critical of Yunus have involved not only branding them as pro-Awami League but also revoking press accreditations, resorting to violence, and levying criminal charges including money laundering, criminal offences, and terrorism. Consequently, urgent media reforms demand serious and immediate attention. The amendment of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act through an ordinance extended the powers of investigative offices to conduct searches and seize evidence without prior approval from the tribunal. Additionally, the new ordinance authorised the tribunal to freeze and confiscate the assets of the accused. More recently, a second amendment introduced provisions allowing the trial and punishment of 'organisations' for crimes within the tribunal's jurisdiction. In essence, these amendments enhanced the tribunal's authority to ban organisations, confiscate their properties, and suspend their registration if found guilty of crimes against humanity. Initially, political parties were included in the ordinance, but this was subsequently removed to avoid political controversy. Nonetheless, these amendments—particularly the second—have attracted significant criticism from human rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW), which argue that they undermine fundamental human rights. Concerns have been raised that these changes could be exploited as tools for political repression of opposition groups, lacking adequate accountability, thus posing a threat to democratic principles. The ban on the Awami League has only reinforced this scepticism. On the 11th of this month, the interim government approved the draft ordinance of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, introducing a new provision to prohibit activities of individuals or 'entities' involved in terrorism, thereby granting the government extensive powers to regulate political activities. Just one day earlier, the interim government imposed a ban on the 'activities" of the Awami League amid increasing pressure from the Nationalist Communist Party (NCP) and Islamic parties. The ordinance, approved overnight, revised the existing Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 and was subsequently used on 12 May to officially disband the Awami League, providing a clear indication of arbitrary targeting and suppression without accountability. This action provoked widespread condemnation from foreign governments, international human rights organisations, as well as domestic political leaders and analysts. The systematic targeting of Awami League leaders, activists, and supporters—who have faced mob violence over the past nine months—has sparked concern and criticism over the interim government's failure to prevent the country's descent into lawlessness. Instead, through the launch of Operation Devil Hunt aimed at curbing mob attacks, the interim government appeared to be settling political scores by arresting a disproportionate number of League sympathisers. The banning of a political party mirrored the authoritarian tactics of the deposed government, now widely labelled 'fascist', fuelling fears of a further erosion of democratic space. Moreover, the interim government's ordinance on enforced disappearance has also faced criticism for lacking public consultation, accountability measures, and failing to address past abuses. The interim government's recent legislative initiatives, presented as reforms, amount to little more than old wine in new bottles. While political parties in Bangladesh remain divided on the issue, international human rights organisations have been unequivocal in their criticism—these measures pose a significant threat to fundamental human freedoms. The interim government's political vendetta has become increasingly apparent, as has the growing shadow of disapproval cast over the Yunus administration. The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 11:43 IST News opinion Global Watch | Yunus Regime's Political Vendetta Deepens Bangladesh Crisis
United News of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Bangladesh: Awami League rails against deteriorating human rights under Yunus administration
Dhaka, May 22 (UNI) Bangladesh's Awami League has slammed the country's Army-backed interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, for the controversial ban imposed on the party and the collapse of human rights. Drawing attention to a report by Human Rights Watch this year, the party noted that since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, there has been significant international concern and condemnation for the suppression of fundamental freedoms and enabling of Islamic extremists, despite early promises to restore democracy. According to The Human Rights Watch, the controversial ban on the Awami League—the country's founding group and its oldest party led by ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — enforced earlier this month under new amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, has prohibited all political activity and speech in support of the party. Besides, the Election Commission later revoked the party's registration entirely. Also, a sweeping re-interpretation of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act has allowed authorities to prosecute individuals and organisations deemed to support banned groups. The Human Rights Watch and other observers have highlighted the failure of the new government to address the alleged human rights violations committed under the Awami League's 15-year rule, particularly enforced disappearances. A commission established to investigate these cases has documented over 1,600 complaints, with nearly 200 people still missing. However, the proposed legislation fails to meet international standards, lacks independence, and excludes systemic abuses from its scope—effectively shielding security forces and high-ranking officials from accountability. Since Yunus's rise to power, the country has seen a marked fall in social stability, with increased harassment of civil society groups by mobs, Islamic groups, and the policy. The groups, comprising social workers, activists, lawyers, writers, journalists, academics, among others have reported a sharp uptick in politically motivated arrests of artists, journalists, and opposition activists. Over 11,000 people have reportedly been detained in the government's 'Operation Devil Hunt' campaign targeting Awami League supporters. Simultaneously, minority and indigenous communities have experienced rising violence and intimidation. Attacks on Hindu temples and tribal students, as well as a softening of secular education policies, suggest increasing influence of conservative Islamist elements within the state. The inclusion of individuals with known radical links in advisory positions has further fuelled concerns about Bangladesh's long-standing secular identity. Despite promises to uphold democratic values, Yunus's administration is now increasingly being accused of authoritarianism, and uprooting the country's traditional democratic, socialist, pluralistic, secular, and nationalistic fabric, in favour of a radical theocratic government. Human rights advocates are calling for the interim government to protect civil liberties, allow political opposition, ensure accountability for past abuses, and resist creeping religious extremism. UNI ANV SSP
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Yunus government in Bangladesh slammed for suppressing Awami League
New York/Dhaka: Human Rights Watch, a US-based advocacy group, has severely criticised Muhammad Yunus led interim government of Bangladesh for attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League party. The recent legislative initiatives by the interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms, the rights body emphasised in a statement. "On May 12, the interim government ordered a 'temporary' ban on the Awami League using newly introduced powers under a draconian amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban includes, among other actions, meetings, publications, and online speech supporting the party," said Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday. "The ban on the Awami League will apply until party leaders have faced trial for abuses committed during their 15-year rule, a process that could last years, thus effectively proscribing the party. The interim government has prohibited all activities including any kind of publication, media, online and social media, any kind of campaign, procession, meeting, gathering, conference, etc. by the Bangladesh Awami League, curtailing supporters' freedom of speech and association," it further added. The rights body emphasised that to build a foundation for the respect of human rights in Bangladesh, the interim government should reverse its actions to protect rights of freedom of expression of Awami League members and supporters, and focus instead on prosecuting members of the former government accused of crimes based on credible evidence. "It should refrain from politically motivated pretrial detentions, and ensure that they remain the exception, only when necessary in an individual case, and not the rule. The priority should be to deliver justice for human rights violations, particularly unlawful killings and enforced disappearances," HRW stated. The rights body highlighted that Awami League, which has been active since before the country's independence, has a wide base of supporters, adding that after the suspension was announced, the Election Commission also stripped the party of its registration. "These moves came in the wake of the interim government's ordinance amending the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which gives the Tribunal broad powers to prosecute and dismantle political organisations. The new provision defines organisation expansively to include any political party or affiliated group, or individuals who are deemed to propagate or support their activities. Because these powers are drafted so broadly, they could contravene international standards of due process and freedom of association," it further added.
The Print
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Yunus regime's ban on Hasina's Awami League ‘concerning', says MEA; calls for polls in Bangladesh
The comments come days after the Bangladesh interim government Saturday announced a sweeping ban on all activities of the Awami League—including its online presence—under a revised anti-terrorism Act. The ban is supposed to remain in place until the International Crimes Tribunal concludes its trial of the party and its senior leadership. 'The ban on the Awami League without due process is a concerning development. As a democracy, India is naturally concerned about curtailed democratic freedoms and shrinking political space. We strongly support the early holding of free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh,' Randhir Jaiswal, the official MEA spokesperson, said at the weekly press briefing. New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Tuesday expressed concerns over the Muhammad Yunus regime's decision to ban the Awami League, calling it a 'concerning development' and urging a swift return to democratic norms. The decision followed a Saturday late-night meeting of the 16-member advisory council in Bangladesh, which also resolved to publish the 'July Declaration' within the next 30 working days. According to a statement by the Muhammad Yunus-led government, the ban aims to 'protect the security and sovereignty of the country' and ensure the safety of leaders and activists involved in the July uprising, as well as witnesses and plaintiffs participating in the related tribunal processes. The move comes amid mounting pressure from the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), which has been leading widespread demonstrations across Dhaka and other cities, demanding that the Awami League be outlawed and its leaders prosecuted for their role in suppressing the July 2024 uprising. The Bangladesh government has amended the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, established by ousted ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, empowering the tribunal to punish political parties and affiliated organisations. Earlier in October 2024, the Awami League student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, was banned. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Hasina calls Yunus a 'mobster', vows to return to Bangladesh
