Prosecution on Tuesday submitted a petition to the registrar of the International Crimes Tribunal to bring contempt charges against Human Rights Watch for publishing a report terming the conviction of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam “deeply flawed.”
In the petition, prosecution lawyers said there were widespread allegations against Human Rights Watch that it published motivated and fabricated reports in the past, having been driven by various interests.
The petition said proving HRW wrong was a challenge for Bangladesh after having set up a unique instance of trying war crimes under existing laws.
On Monday, prosecutor Tureen Afroz told the Dhaka Tribune that they would file a petition with tribunal 1, as the New York-based organisation “outrageously” commented on the trial “without citing any proof.”
Tribunal 1 on July 15 sentenced Ghulam Azam to 90 years’ jail for masterminding war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War.
Both sides have already appealed against the verdict.
The rights body on August 16 published a report titled “Bangladesh: Azam Conviction Based on Flawed Proceedings” on its website.
It said: “Human Rights Watch’s concerns about the Azam trial include: judges improperly conducted an investigation on behalf of the prosecution; collusion and bias among prosecutors and judges; failure to take steps to protect defence witnesses; changes in the trial court panel; and lack of evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
On the same day, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said, since the matter was under the consideration of the Appellate Division, “making such a comment is tantamount to contempt of court.”
He also claimed that HRW was working as a paid-lobbyist.
National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman and Ain o Salish Kendra Executive Director Sultana Kamal, among others, criticised the HRW for publishing the report.
However, Tajul Islam, one of the counsels of Ghulam Azam said the report was “objective” and reflected Jamaat’s view on the tribunal.
