Intl War Crimes Tribunal
Justice Amir likely to be new member
MUHAMMAD YEASIN
Justice Amir Hossain, a judge of the High Court Division, is to be appointed a new member of the International War Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Sources in the law ministry and the Supreme Court (SC) said the apex court had sent the name of Amir Hossain to the law ministry for appointment to the ICT. A tribunal members post has been lying vacant since the death of its chairman, Justice Anwarul Haque, on July 13. Law secretary Abu Saleh Sheikh Mohammad Zahirul Haque told The Independent yesterday that the government had sought a name from the High Court (HC) to appoint a new ICT member so that the tribunal could resume its trial proceedings.
Im yet to receive the file. After getting it, well complete the necessary procedure and then issue a gazette notification, he said. The ICT has seen no progress in the proceedings of nine cases, including one waiting for verdict, following the death of Justice Anwarul Haque.
The ICT comprises three member judges. Among the three, one functions as the chairman, while the two others serve as tribunal members.
While Justice Awarul Haque was the chairman, the two other ICT members were Justice Md Shahinur Islam and Justice Md Shohrowardi.
As per the provisions of the tribunal, a senior judge is to be appointed its chairman. If Justice Amir Hossain is appointed a member of the tribunal, Justice Md Shahinur Islam would be the senior-most among the tribunal judges, according to sources.
Law ministry sources said Justice Md Shohrowardi has expressed the desire to return to the High Court. The government will take a decision in this regard after appointing the new member in accordance with the suggestion made by the SC, the sources added.
Currently, nine cases are at the trial stage and 22 others at the pre-trial stage. Besides, investigating agencies are now gathering evidence in about a dozen more cases.
On May 9, the ICT-1 completed the trial proceedings of a case against six Gaibandha men in connection with crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War, but the verdict has remained pending in the case.
The Awami League-led government formed the International Crimes Tribunal on March 25, 2010 in line with the partys electoral pledge to try people accused of committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
The government formed a second tribunal on March 22, 2012 to expedite the trials of war crimes-related offences, but it has remained non-functional from September 15, 2015.
