International human rights groups have observed that the December 2 conviction of journalist David Bergman on contempt charges by the International Crimes Tribunal “further shrinks the narrowing space for observers to comment on the war crimes proceedings.”
London-based Amnesty International, New York-based Human Rights Watch and Geneva-based the International Commission of Jurists issued a joint statement over the issue yesterday.
Richard Bennett, Asia-Pacific director at Amesty International, said: “Rather than respecting the right to freedom of expression, the ICT has used contempt of court proceedings against some of its critics, and those who are convicted have no right of appeal. The conviction of Bergman sends a chilling message to journalists and human rights defenders that the ICT will not tolerate fair criticism.”
The statement says concerns over its statute, rules of procedure, and practices have been raised since its inception, including by international monitors and legal experts.
HRW’s Asia Director Brad Adams said: “...If a journalist can be held in contempt for criticising proceedings and issues before the tribunal, why not bring proceedings against US Ambassador for War Crimes Stephen Rapp, who has raised many similar concerns?”
Sam Zarifi, Asia director at the International Commission of Jurists, said: “The ICT is dealing with incredibly complex factual and emotional issues of tremendous interest to people in Bangladesh and across the world, and part of this process is establishing public confidence in the legal system.”