ICT initiates process to hold trial of Jul-Aug massacres

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday began the process of holding a trial regarding the genocide that occurred during the student movement in July-August. 

The trial, led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, includes members Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and former District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. 

Proceedings commenced at 11:20 am, with Chief Prosecutor Advocate Mohammad Tajul Islam in attendance.

Earlier on Tuesday, the tribunal chairman and his two members signed their joining documents, officially marking the commencement of their duties. 

This tribunal will try the disappearances and murders committed during the Awami League government and the recent massacres surrounding the student movement. To date, over 60 complaints have been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and various ministers and officials from the previous ruling government.

The Awami League established the International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to prosecute crimes against humanity committed in 1971. The interim government is now taking steps to utilise the same tribunal for the recent enforced disappearances and killings linked to the student movement. In response to the July-August events surrounding the anti-discrimination protests, the interim government has decided to proceed with trials at the ICT. A new prosecution team and investigation agency have been formed, and legal amendments along with building repairs for the trial are currently underway. Thus far, over 60 complaints of enforced disappearances, killings, and genocide have been submitted to the ICT against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leaders of the Awami League, the 14-party alliance, and former top officials of law enforcement agencies following the mass uprising.

Thirty-nine years after independence, the then Awami League government established the International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to bring those accused of crimes against humanity in 1971 to justice. The formal proceedings of the tribunal began on March 25 of that year. Later, another tribunal, known as Tribunal-2, was established on March 22, 2012. However, on September 15, 2015, the two tribunals were merged, resulting in ongoing trials for crimes against humanity from 1971 in a single tribunal. The previous thirty cases are still ongoing in the tribunal.

The Awami League government carried out indiscriminate killings to suppress the student movement. Nearly 1,500 people lost their lives during this movement. On August 5, the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina's government came to an end amidst the student movement. Following this, an interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, took charge of the country and decided to prosecute the genocide that occurred in July and August.