HRW’s observation on ICT taken into consideration: law minister

Dhaka, July 30: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has said that the government has taken into consideration the observations made by Human Rights Watch (HRW) regarding the ongoing proceedings at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal and will examine the issues raised.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday (July 30) after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on legal aid between the ministry and NGOs BRAC and BLAST at the Secretariat, the minister responded to questions about HRW’s recent comments.

The U.S.-based human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently stated that the authorities overseeing Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal have failed to uphold international legal standards in conducting the trials.

Responding to the criticism, the minister said, “If they make observations from their perspective, it is our responsibility to take those observations into cognizance and examine the matter. We will review whatever needs to be reviewed. We are not ignoring their observations, nor are we saying that they are either right or wrong.”

He added, “If HRW—or anyone else—raises allegations, it is our responsibility to take those allegations into cognizance and examine them. We are doing exactly that.”