The government has established the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) in an effort to expedite the trial process of crimes against humanity committed during the July-August uprising.
The newly formed tribunal will be headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, a former judge of the High Court Division. The two other members of the tribunal are retired district and sessions judge Md. Manjurul Bashid and Madaripur district judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
A gazette notification, signed by Law and Justice Division Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher, states that the chairman and members of the new tribunal will receive salaries, allowances, and other benefits equivalent to that of High Court judges.
In a related move, the existing International Crimes Tribunal has been officially designated as International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1). The ICT-1 is currently comprised of Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud, and retired district judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Multiple sources have indicated that the government’s decision follows rising domestic and international concern over the investigation and trial of crimes against humanity committed during July–August 2024. Several organisations have demanded speedy justice, prompting authorities to establish a second tribunal to accelerate ongoing proceedings.