The ordinance on the prevention and redressal of enforced disappearance issued during the interim government’s tenure was unnecessary, said Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Md Aminul Islam.
He said the offences related to enforced disappearance that fell under the purview of the enforced disappearance ordinance were already statutory under the International Crimes Tribunal Act. The chief prosecutor made these remarks while responding to questions from journalists at his office at the tribunal on Tuesday, 7 April.
The bill amending the International Crimes Tribunal Act was passed in the National Parliament on Tuesday. Through this amendment, the issue of enforced disappearance has been incorporated into the law.
Regarding this, the law minister said in parliament that this proves how committed the government is to trying enforced disappearance cases.
In response, the chief prosecutor said, “I haven’t seen the copy yet. I am grateful that if the enforced disappearance ordinance has been repealed and it has been incorporated into the Tribunal Act. I express my sincere gratitude to the law minister and the members of parliament. Because I believe the enforced disappearance ordinance was an unnecessary law.”
According to Aminul Islam, the Tribunal Act already had sufficient jurisdiction to try allegations of enforced disappearance. There was no need for an additional law or tribunal. “If it is now integrated with the Tribunal, I believe this is a correct and rational decision,” he said.
