The International Crimes Strategy Forum (ICSF) has strongly criticized the British Supreme Court’s recent decision in favor of Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin, convicted of war crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 that involved the murder of Bengali intellectuals in collaboration with the Pakistan Army.
The court’s ruling permits Mueen-Uddin to appeal against a UK Home Office report that linked him to war crimes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ICSF expressed shock and disappointment over the decision, stating that it was based on several unadjudicated issues and unfounded claims.
The forum condemned the UK Supreme Court’s remarks against Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, asserting that the court has no authority whatsoever to make such statements.
“This decision by the UKSC undermines decades-long efforts of Bangladesh and her civil society to end impunity by bringing known perpetrators of mass atrocity crimes to justice. It betrays the victims and survivors of these crimes and raises serious questions about the UK judiciary’s commitment to international justice and human rights towards victims of international crimes in faraway lands,” the ICSF statement read.
The UK Supreme Court recently allowed Mueen-Uddin, who has resided in London for decades and acquired UK citizenship in 1984, to revive his libel action against the UK Home Secretary.
The court reversed lower court decisions that had previously struck out his claim as an abuse of process, thus permitting him to pursue his case at trial.
Mueen-Uddin’s claim pertains to a 2019 Home Office publication that alleges his complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971.
Following the war, Mueen-Uddin fled to the UK, where he has since lived and integrated into society, even becoming a director of the UK National Health Service.
The International Crimes Tribunal found Mueen-Uddin guilty in absentia in 2013 for his involvement in the abduction, torture, and murder of nine Dhaka University teachers, six journalists, and three doctors during the war.
Despite his conviction, Mueen-Uddin has not been deported, as Bangladesh lacks an extradition agreement with the UK.
Mueen-Uddin described himself as a “proud and longstanding British citizen who has placed his faith in our justice system” in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment.
He expressed his relief at being able to seek vindication after more than four years since his initial complaint.
