DHAKA: A Bangladeshi war crimes tribunal, established by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has initiated investigations into three “mass murder” cases linked to the violence that led to her departure from the country. The probe follows a month of intense student-led protests against Hasina’s 15-year autocratic regime, which resulted in over 450 deaths, many from police gunfire, and culminated in Hasina fleeing to India on August 5.
Ataur Rahman, deputy director of the tribunal’s investigation cell, stated that the tribunal is in the preliminary stages of gathering evidence related to these cases. The investigations will focus on violence that occurred in the suburbs of Dhaka, including Mirpur, Munshiganj, and Savar.
The tribunal’s inquiry is part of broader legal actions against Hasina, with at least 15 cases filed by local police units across the country. These cases include charges of murder and “crimes against humanity” and involve several of Hasina’s former senior aides.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), established by Hasina in 2010 to address atrocities from the country’s liberation war, has previously sentenced over 100 individuals to death, including political opponents. The ICT has faced criticism for not adhering to international standards.
The United Nations reported last Friday that there are strong indications of unnecessary and disproportionate force used by Bangladeshi security forces during the protests, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture. The UN has called for further independent investigation into these allegations.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has pledged support for the UN investigators as they continue their inquiries into the unrest and human rights violations.
