To pursue justice for the victims of atrocities in Bangladesh we intend to do the following:
Request to UK Government to make ICC referral
It is clear that the International Criminal Court is the best venue to prosecute the top individuals who were involved in the persecution in Bangladesh during the Hasina regime. This will guarantee and independent and objective process to consider the evidence of atrocities and hold those responsible to account.
Bangladesh is a party to the ICC’s Rome Statue which means that there is jurisdiction for the crimes against humanity committed against the students, the ‘disappeared’, and others during ex-PM Hasina’s tenure.
Under Article 14 of the Rome Statue, states can refer situations to the ICC Prosecutor, which means that the prosecutor can commence an investigation without having to seek authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber, rendering the process quicker, and, for the Bangladesh people, more effective. After an investigation he can request arrest warrants for those suspected of committing an international crime, and then all of the Court’s 124 state parties are under an obligation to arrest and send the individual to the Court in the Hague.
On 13 August 2024, we have written to the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom (see below) and requested that he make use of the power of the United Kingdom to make a state referral of the situation in Bangladesh to Karim Khan KC, the Prosecutor of the ICC, to kickstart an investigation.
This period is a crucial opportunity for Bangladesh to redefine its commitment to human rights and to the rule of law and the United Kingdom and the rest of the international community must support Bangladesh in this transition and ensure that the new leadership upholds the principles of justice and democracy. The UK Government making a referral, as requested, would demonstrate a real commitment to justice for those disappeared and others subject to the most horrendous international crimes and demonstrate that they are able to act impartially, even when doing so might be against the interest of their Minister and her family. We call on them to act now.
- Collection of evidence to submit to the ICC Prosecutor
The International Criminal Court prosecutor can receive evidence from individuals and civil society groups. We are preparing a detailed report into the crimes committed against the students, the ‘disappeared’, and others and will be submitted this to the Prosecutor.
We welcome individuals and groups providing evidence to us by sending it to [email protected]
Collection of Evidence and Submissions to Domestic Courts for Universal Jurisdiction Prosecution
For years, those who the Hasina regime considered as being against her interests have had to escape from Bangladesh and seek refuge abroad. Now the tide has turned and those who took part in the commission of serious crimes are attempting to escape justice by leaving Bangladesh.
The principle of universal jurisdiction holds that there are some crimes which are so serious that they should be prosecuted by any country around the world. We intend to put together a bundle of evidence in relation to the perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh to provide this to domestic authorities with a view to the prosecution of those responsible under the domestic laws of the country to which they arrive as well as for their use when deciding whether to grant refugee status as well as
Where possible we will mount private prosecutions, or join as civil parties, the prosecution of those who caused so much pain and anguish to the people of Bangladesh.
- Sanctions Submissions in Relation to those Involved in Human Rights Abuses
Those involved in the human rights abuses in Bangladesh have profited from the corrupt regime. We will provide evidence and make sanctions submissions, against those who have benefitted improperly.