Dhaka: The government has approved the draft of the 'International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024', aiming to ensure fair trials, as announced by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul. The announcement was made during a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy, where Dr. Nazrul emphasized the necessity of amending the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973. The move comes in response to criticisms from various groups regarding errors in the act during trials under previous regimes. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Asif Nazrul highlighted that local and international human rights organizations had pointed out several flaws in the original act. The government, committed to conducting fair trials, initiated the amendment process by consulting a diverse group of stakeholders, including human rights defenders, journalists, local and international jurists, and the United Nations. The newly approved amendment removes the provision that allowed pun ishment of organizations, although the tribunal can still recommend punitive measures against such entities. Dr. Nazrul emphasized that this change is intended to prevent the trials from becoming entangled with political issues, thereby maintaining their integrity. He also assured that existing laws, like the anti-terrorism act, provide mechanisms to ban organizations if needed. In line with international standards, the ordinance now aligns the definitions of "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It also enhances defendants' rights, allowing them to present witnesses and contest the admissibility of evidence. The ordinance includes measures for witness protection and victim compensation, and allows trial proceedings to be recorded if deemed necessary by the tribunal. Furthermore, the ordinance stipulates that security forces, intelligence agencies, and auxiliary forces can be subjected to trials. It also introduces provisions for appointing forei gn lawyers and observers, thereby reinforcing the international credibility of the tribunal's processes. Advisers Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam, along with Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, were in attendance during the press briefing, underscoring the significance of the ordinance's approval.
