International Criminal Court Can Prosecute Hasina and Zia

On December 1st 2013 the United Nations Human rights chief Navi Pillay stated that if the leadership in political parties is found supporting the violence created by party supporters and activist there is ground for legal actions by the international community. The High Commissioner pointed out that Bangladesh is a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). “In other situations, we have seen cases of political or election related violence where the perpetrators of such acts - including political leadership - have faced prosecution,” she said.

Recently similar charges were taken against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who was found inciting violence against political opposition supporters in the 2007-08 Kenyan elections. The ICC can prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The first two charges cannot be strongly applied however there is cause for crimes against humanity committed by parties in Bangladesh. Murder; extermination; torture; rape; political, racial, or religious persecution and other inhuman acts reach the threshold of crimes against humanity only if they are part of a widespread or systematic practice. It can be seen across Bangladesh, specifically this year and especially the last month that major political parties have taken up murder, extermination, and political persecution against opposing parties and ordinary citizens mistakenly believed to be associated with opposing parties. The Rome Stature provides that individuals or organizations may submit information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC. 

There are arguments that the ICC may not be an effective route, however anything is better than the current impunity the highest political office currently enjoy. If these charges are taken up against both Hasina and Zia the two will have to face severe consequences; I recommend only pursuing both because pursuing only one will only do more damage. They run the risk of being arrested if they wish to vacation in America, Europe, or other counties for their expensive medical treatment and family trips. Their financial assets including saving, funds, and trusts in other countries will come under investigation and frozen. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this is that it can inflict consequences only for Hasina and Zia without damaging the economy or people of Bangladesh.  

To contact the ICC if  you are a member of an organization or a person who has fallen victim to these crimes you may contact ICC through these means.

Contact the ICC

Communications and claims under art.15 of the Rome Statute may be addressed to:
Information and Evidence Unit
Office of the Prosecutor
Post Office Box 19519
2500 CM The Hague
The Netherlands

or sent by email to otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int,
or sent by facsimile to +31 70 515 8555.

Mission Statement

We as Bangladeshis believe that our government should work to serve the people and uphold the laws and human rights guaranteed to us by our own constitution and by international conventions. Currently in Bangladesh there are high levels of impunity for politicians and their supporters across the ruling and opposition parties. They have constantly resorted to use violent protests and vandalism to achieve their means. We call on citizens of Bangladesh and expatriates to use all resources to non-violently call on the government of Bangladesh and the International Community to hold accountable those who break laws and disregarded the lives of ordinary citizens and economic conditions. Join with us to create a fair and equal Bangladesh.  We are looking for supports across the world.