July massacre trial will be completed by next Victory Day: Asif Nazrul

The trial of the July massacre will be completed by the next Victory Day, Asif Nazrul, adviser on the law, justice and parliamentary affairs to the interim government, has said. He made the remarks today (28 December) during the first session of the second day of the national dialogue titled "Unity, Reform, and Elections," organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies, at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital's Khamarbari. 

Nazrul said the interim government has three main tasks: the prosecution of genocide, reform, and elections. "As the law adviser, my primary responsibility is to prosecute cases of genocide," he added. Mentioning that there were initially no judges or investigation officers in the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), the law adviser said a prosecution team was formed within a week. 

"The judiciary cannot be put under question by rushing the judicial process. There will be no negligence in the legal proceedings and no delay in the judicial process," he added. While addressing the dialogue, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam stressed prioritising the trial of the main accused involved in crimes against humanity and enforced disappearances.

He said, "Our main focus is on the enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity that have taken place on the soil of Bangladesh. Among the main accused who ordered these crimes, our priority is to try them. We cannot try thousands of people — that is not possible. We are not moving towards that goal."

Tajul highlighted the widespread and organised nature of these crimes, noting their political affiliations and the involvement of entire forces. He added, "Now if we want to try everyone nationwide, it will not be possible for this tribunal. In crimes against humanity, the main accused are usually tried. That is why we are trying to try Sheikh Hasina, who was the main director here, and a few people below her first."

The chief prosecutor expressed hope that trials of the primary accused could be completed within a year. "We want to finish their trial as soon as possible. And we think that everyone will be able to. However, the relevant court can say how long it will take to process the cases that have been filed in various police stations and courts," he said.