Five European international organizations have condemned the recent International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) verdict against Sheikh Hasina and called for global action to halt what they describe as politically motivated trials in Bangladesh.
A coalition of rights and advocacy groups based in London issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern” over the verdict delivered under the interim government.
The coalition has also sent letters to the UN secretary-general, the UN high commissioner for human rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the European External Action Service, the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, the International Bar Association, the Commonwealth Secretariat and several UN special rapporteurs.
In its statement, the coalition said the tribunal — established to prosecute atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War — has “deviated from its core principles”.
It criticised recent trials held in absentia, saying such proceedings undermine judicial independence and violate international human rights standards.
The coalition highlighted several concerns, including questions over constitutional legitimacy, erosion of judicial independence, rushed trials, lack of adequate legal representation, the absence of defence witnesses, and what it described as evidence of collusion.
The organizations that signed the statement are:
- European Bangladesh Forum (EU and UK)
- Earth Civilization Network (Global)
- Freedom and Justice Alliance (Global)
- South Asia Democratic Forum (Belgium)
- Working Group Bangladesh (Germany)