Interim govt may approach ICC to bring back Hasina: Asif Nazrul
'We know that elections under caretaker governments were generally free and fair,' says the adviser.
The interim government is thinking about going to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring back ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India, who are now fugitive convicts, said Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Adviser Asif Nazrul today (20 November).
"We will hold a meeting soon to decide whether we can approach the International Criminal Court regarding the return of these convicted individuals," he said while speaking at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
It is worth noting that India has neither signed nor ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Therefore, the court has no jurisdiction over India.
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At the briefing, the adviser also said the interim government plans to send a formal letter to India seeking the repatriation of Hasina and Kamal, who were recently sentenced to death in connection with crimes against humanity committed during last year's Mass Uprising.
"These two individuals are now convicted. According to our bilateral agreements, a request will be sent to India for their repatriation. India should respect the Bangladeshi people's desire for justice by returning Hasina," he added.
Asif Nazrul said India should respect the Bangladeshi people's desire for justice by facilitating the return of Hasina, who fled to the neighbouring country after the fall of her government in August 2024.
After the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina and Asaduzzaman on 17 November, the foreign ministry issued a statement, saying Dhaka had urged New Delhi to immediately hand over fugitive convicts, describing the move as India's treaty-bound obligation.
The existing bilateral extradition agreement between Bangladesh and India stipulates that the transfer of the two convicts is a compulsory responsibility for New Delhi, it said.
The foreign ministry also said that granting shelter to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would be considered an unfriendly act and a disregard for justice.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, later in the day, said the ministry will formally send a letter to New Delhi seeking the repatriation of fugitive convicts Hasina and Asaduzzaman.
"We will officially communicate our position to India. Whether the letter goes tonight or tomorrow, it will certainly go," he told reporters.
Touhid said the letter would be transmitted to the Indian government either through the Indian High Commission in Dhaka or the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
Responding to a question, the adviser stated that Dhaka had earlier sent a request seeking Hasina's return but had received no response.
"Now the situation is different…the judicial process has been completed and they have been convicted," he added.
Asked whether New Delhi is legally bound to send back the convicts under the existing treaty, Touhid said the matter falls under legal interpretation.
