The number of tribunals and prosecution teams may need to be increased to cope with the growing number of crimes against humanity cases, according to International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam.
He made the remarks at the annual general meeting of the Supreme Court Reporters Forum held at the Dhaka Club on Saturday.
The chief prosecutor said judicial proceedings are currently underway in two tribunals, with around 30 cases already under trial. More cases are being filed, while investigation reports continue to be submitted.
“A single case may take at least three to four months to conclude, and in some instances, even longer. We are conducting trials in the normal course, but the caseload is increasing steadily,” he said.
According to Aminul Islam, the two existing tribunals may eventually face excessive pressure, making it necessary to expand both the tribunal structure and prosecution teams. The number of officials in the investigation agency may also need to be increased.
He further said that since assuming office, he has sent five to six cases back for reinvestigation to ensure fairness and accuracy.
“We are trying to conduct tribunal proceedings with utmost honesty and impartiality. Some reinvestigations have already been completed, and reports resubmitted. We are carefully scrutinising every case to ensure that no innocent person is harassed and no guilty person escapes accountability,” he said.
The chief prosecutor added that efforts are being made to ensure that no complaint is motivated by vengeance or based on false allegations, so that the tribunal’s proceedings remain free from controversy and beyond question.
The event was chaired by Masudur Rahman and moderated by Mehedi Hasan Dalim. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir and others also addressed the gathering.
