SONIPAT, Sept. 16: Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has amended rules governing the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), barring individuals indicted for crimes against humanity from contesting elections or holding government jobs.
The move, announced on September 4, comes as the Election Commission has yet to fix a date for the February 2026 general elections. Critics argue the ICT has long been accused of serving as a political tool since its launch under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 2008, and the new amendments could deepen concerns over its impartiality.
Observers say the decision is likely to fuel debate over whether the tribunal’s processes meet international standards of justice or risk being used to sideline political opponents ahead of the polls.