DHAKA, Aug 14, 2024 (BSS) - Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today said that the interim government has decided to try the killings during the mass movement of the students and the people in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
 
"The interim government has taken preparations to investigate these incidents under the supervision of the United Nations (UN). The murders conducted within the period from July 1 to August 5 will be tried by the International Crimes Tribunal," he said at a press conference at the Secretariat here this morning.

"We looked into the incidents of random firing and killings to find the fact whether there is the scope to prosecute tit as a crime against humanity. We are working to try the July-August massacres under the International Criminal Tribunal Act 1973, (amended in 2009, and 2013). Under this Act, all those involved in the killings, those ordered them and those assisted them in various ways, can be brought to justice," he added.

Stating that an investigation team will work under the full supervision of the United Nations to ensure complete transparency and impartiality, he said, "None of the outgoing government involved in the murder will be exempted."

The adviser also said that the cases those are false and were filed to harass people during the movement will be withdrawn by tomorrow, and other remaining cases will be withdrawn by August 31.

Also, a list of regulatory laws including the Cyber ??Security Act has been made and these laws will be repealed or amended keeping the human rights in mind, Dr Nazrul said.

While asked about the trial of money laundering accused, the law advisor said, "We are determined to prosecute any kind of crime. Of course, we will do whatever necessary to bring back those who have taken people's money and bring them to justice."

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said that all false and harassing cases filed against the students throughout the country during the protest from July 1 to August 5 will be withdrawn.

“The police have already joined their workplaces and now the government is hopeful that all the cases in Dhaka will be withdrawn by next Thursday and the cases across the country by August 31,” he added.
After taking charge of the ministry, Asif said: "I took the initiative to withdraw the false and harassing cases during the mass movement of students within three working days."

But, it was not possible to do so because the procedure of withdrawing these cases requires the cooperation of the police, he added.

He said that the International Criminal Tribunal has an investigation team and a prosecution team and attempts are being made to reform these teams.

The investigation teams will work under the full supervision of the United Nations (UN) to ensure absolute transparency and neutrality in the trial, he said.

"It has been decided to hold a meeting with the resident representative of the United Nations in Dhaka," he said, adding that besides, various high-level agencies concerned of the UN will also be contacted to start the process quickly," he said.

In response to a query regarding the trial of those who have siphoned off money abroad in the past, he said, "Those who have smuggled people's money out of the country and committed corruption will be tried."

About the judiciary, the law adviser said: "The judiciary is being reformed. People can understand this by looking at the life sketches of the appointed justices including the Chief Justice."

He said that all qualified people are being appointed as part of reforming the judiciary.

He said in consultation with the Supreme Court, all the judicial officers and their family members have been ordered to submit statements about their movable and immovable properties located at home and abroad within the next 10 working days.