The human rights organization “Justice for Bangladesh” has formally written to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, urging him to bring former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes committed during the recent student protests in Bangladesh.
In the letter sent on Wednesday, the UK-based organization called on Secretary Lammy to highlight the human rights violations that occurred in Bangladesh over the past few weeks to the ICC. The organization emphasized the importance of international scrutiny and justice, stressing that the ICC is the most effective body for addressing such serious allegations.
The letter underscored the deep ties between the UK and Bangladesh, noting that both nations share a commitment to Commonwealth values and that the UK desires to see Bangladesh remain a peaceful and democratic country. Given that both the UK and Bangladesh are signatories to the ICC, the letter argued that it is possible to hold Sheikh Hasina and her associates accountable through the court.
“Justice for Bangladesh” expressed hope that the UK, as a country that respects human rights, would take the initiative to pursue this action. The organization pledged to continue its efforts until justice is served for the victims.
The letter was co-signed by three coordinators of the organization: Barrister Michael Polak, former South Asia head of Amnesty International Abbas Faiz, and broadcaster and Bangladeshi political analyst Ataullah Farooq.
According to “Justice for Bangladesh,” the killings of protesting students in Bangladesh amounted to genocide, carried out under the orders of the then-government. The organization claims to have substantial evidence proving that these atrocities were committed at the behest of the now-deposed Bangladeshi leader.
The letter referenced a video released on August 12, showing a Bangladeshi police officer speaking with the then-Home Minister, where the officer can be heard saying, “When we shoot, one person dies and another is injured. If only one person falls, the others do not flee, sir. This is, sir, the greatest terror.”
The organization asserts that Sheikh Hasina had ordered the armed forces to continue using lethal weapons up until her escape from the country, which could make her and other officials of her administration culpable for crimes against humanity. Furthermore, over 600 people were reportedly subjected to enforced disappearances during her time in power.
The letter also accused the former Bangladeshi government of consistently lying about the existence of secret detention and torture centers, known as “Aynaghar.” However, the existence of these secret torture cells has been confirmed. Following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh on August 6, several victims reportedly emerged from these torture cells and shared harrowing accounts of their abuse. These survivors are now willing to provide evidence of crimes against humanity, including unlawful abduction, enforced disappearance, and torture.
