One war crimes court made inactive

The government yesterday made one of two International Crimes Tribunals dormant, and brought some changes in the positions of the tribunal judges.

Now, a single tribunal will hear the cases relating to the crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the country's Liberation War in 1971.

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The law ministry yesterday issued a gazette notification in this regard.

Citing from the notification, Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star that Justice Anwarul Haque, who was a member of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, was appointed chairman of the present tribunal and Justice Md Shahinur Islam and Justice Md Shohrowardi were made its members.

Justice Md Shahinur Islam was working as member of the ICT-2 and Justice Md Shohrowardi was working for the HC.

ICT-1 Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim, ICT-2 Chairman Justice Obaidul Hassan and their members Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah have been brought back to the High Court, the minister said.

All the chairmen and members of the ICTs are originally the judges of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. 

The law minister said the initiative was taken as there were only four cases pending with the tribunal.

One tribunal is adequate for disposal of the four cases, he said, adding that another tribunal would be made active, if necessary.

The Awami League-led government formed the first tribunal on March 25, 2010, and the second one on March 22, 2012.