Prosecutor Reveals Why UN Withheld Witness Names in Bangladesh Atrocity Report
The United Nations did not provide witness names for its report on alleged atrocities in Bangladesh. Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim told a tribunal on Thursday that this was due to Bangladesh’s law. The International Crimes Tribunal Act still allows the death penalty.
The prosecutor spoke during a case against seven fugitive leaders of the Awami League. The case concerns alleged crimes against humanity. These crimes happened during the July mass uprising. The UN has a policy against the death penalty for any crime.
The UN stated it would give witness details if the death penalty was removed from the law. For this reason, the prosecution did not receive the UN witnesses. However, the prosecution is presenting its own witnesses to the tribunal.
Prosecutor Monawar stated that Awami League and Chhatra League members attacked protesters. These attacks happened between July 14 and July 17, 2024. Senior Awami League leaders reportedly ordered these actions. The UN report also mentioned these incidents.
After the Awami League government resigned, the UN Human Rights Office published a report. This report analyzed events from July 1 to August 15, 2024. It held top leaders of the then-ruling Awami League responsible for cruel acts and crimes.
To create the report, a UN team investigated in eight cities. These cities included Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Bogura, Sylhet, and Gazipur. They interviewed over 230 people affected by the uprising. They also spoke with many witnesses to the events. Additionally, 36 interviews were conducted with government and security officials.
The accused leaders in this case are all fugitives. They include Obaidul Quader, who was the General Secretary of the banned Awami League. Other accused are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan, Saddam Hossain, and Sheikh Wali Asif.
