Killings, disappearances to be taken to int’l courts: Yunus
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that the interim government has initiated measures to bring perpetrators of enforced disappearances, killings, and the July-August massacres to international courts.
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus reaffirmed the government's commitment to justice, emphasising that accountability would extend to all crimes committed over the past 15 years.
“Numerous people have been subjected to enforced disappearances or murdered during this period. We will prosecute every case, not just the July-August atrocities," he said.
Commission unveils grim findings
Yunus shared updates from the commission tasked with investigating these crimes.
Some 1,600 disappearances have been identified as of October, with the figure likely to surpass 3,500 as investigations progress.
Many families remain reluctant to report cases out of fear, but Yunus urged them to step forward.
"Report your complaints to the commission with full confidence. No one has the power to harm you again," he assured.
The chief adviser described the harrowing accounts of victims.
"Students have written their thoughts on the walls of cities post-uprising. Similarly, earlier victims inscribed their anguish on the walls of hidden detention sites. These stories deeply move us."
International collaboration for justice
To ensure accountability, the government is working with international bodies:
Discussions with Karim AA Khan, lead strategist of the International Criminal Court (ICC), are underway to prosecute perpetrators internationally.
Bangladesh has ratified the International Convention Against Disappearances, strengthening safeguards against such crimes in the future.
Yunus also highlighted recent support from the United Nations:
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited Bangladesh and pledged assistance in investigating the July-August killings.
The UN will deliver its report by early December and has offered to increase manpower in Dhaka to aid human rights efforts, which the government has accepted.
"We are determined to bring justice to the victims, no matter how powerful the perpetrators or their affiliations," Yunus said.
