International Crimes Tribunal to Enter First Judicial Vacation
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Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to observe its first-ever judicial recess beginning Wednesday, marking a significant administrative shift for the court established to prosecute 1971 war crimes. Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam confirmed the 20-day break, which will run from July 1 through July 20.
This recess follows a formal amendment to the ICT’s rules of procedure enacted on May 17. The new regulations mandate two annual breaks for the tribunal and its registry: July 1 to July 20 and December 17 to December 31. Despite the recess, the tribunal’s operations will not grind to a complete halt; the mandate requires at least one tribunal member or the chairman to remain on duty to ensure continuity. Officials who work during these designated vacation periods are entitled to take equivalent leave at other times during the year.
The amendment also establishes a rotation system for tribunal staff and employees, with duty rosters to be managed by the chairman or registrar. In addition to these structured breaks, the chairman and members of the tribunal are now entitled to observe the same public holidays and judicial recesses afforded to justices of the Supreme Court.
The International Crimes Tribunal was established on March 25, 2010, under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act of 1973 to address crimes against humanity committed during the country’s War of Independence. This month marks the first instance in the court’s 14-year history that it has officially entered a scheduled recess.
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