Dhaka: Trials of crimes against humanity committed in different countries of the world have been examples of justice in ages. Crimes against humanity are usually committed when a state or organized group systematically commits genocide, rape, torture, forced displacement, or enslavement against a population. The trials of crimes against humanity began after World War II.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal was formed in 1945 to try Nazi Party leaders. In this trial, for the first time in history, state leaders were brought under international law for crimes against humanity. Many Nazi leaders were convicted of genocide, torture, and war crimes, which later laid the foundation for the process of trials for crimes against humanity.
The ethnic conflict in Yugoslavia in the 1990s resulted in widespread killings and rapes. The United Nations established the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in 1993, which dealt with war crimes during the conflicts in the Balkans. This court tried many military and political leaders, including former Yugoslav President Serban Milosevic. A total of 161 individuals were indicted by the tribunal, with 93 convictions, 18 acquittals, and 50 cases remaining unsolved for various reasons.
In 1994, the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi communities in Rwanda resulted in the deaths of about 800,000 people in just 100 days. The United Nations established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in 1995, which issued historic verdicts against high-ranking political leaders, military officers, and media workers. Of the 93 people indicted by this tribunal, 61 were convicted, 14 acquitted, and 6 remain fugitives.
The Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia from 1975-79 saw about two million people lose their lives. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) was established in 2006 to try this genocide. Although the trial process was lengthy, it successfully brought the perpetrators to justice.
The Extraordinary African Chambers were established in Senegal in 2012 by an agreement between Senegal and the African Union to try the dictatorial ruler of Chad, Hiss¨ne Habr©, for crimes against humanity. Habr© was found guilty in April 2017.
The International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002 under the Rome Statute, is the world’s first permanent international criminal court. This international court is involved in investigating and trying cases of crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes in many countries, including Sudan, Congo, Kenya, Libya, and Afghanistan. So far, a total of 69 people have been indicted, with 10 convictions, 4 acquittals, and 20 unresolved cases for various reasons. Currently, 4 people are on trial at the ICC, and 1 person has started his trial in the pre-trial chamber, while 30 accused are absconding.
The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh began the trial process for crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War in Bangladesh in 1971 in 2010. Several individuals have been tried and sentenced under this tribunal. Most recently, the tribunal has started trials for crimes against humanity committed during the student-people mass uprising in July-August 2024. As of April 10, a total of 339 complaints have been filed, with 39 under investigation. Based on initial findings, 22 cases were registered against 141 accused, with 54 arrests and 87 absconding.