Three UK-based lawyers have filed a case against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for genocide and crime against humanity during the July-August uprising.

The lawyers asked the court to independently investigate allegations against Hasina and other influential people in her government through the case.

Advocate Md Ashraful Arefin, plaintiff and lawyer at Three Bolt Court Chambers, briefed the media about the case at a press conference at the London-Bangla Press Club on Friday (November 1).

“The case has been brought under Article 15 of the Rome Statute of the ICC,” Ashraful said.

Lawyer Sarah Fore and lawyer Emil Lixandru are the other two lawyers, Ashraful informed the media.

“We have presented enormous evidence of the violence and repression carried out by Hasina against protesters. The evidence includes witnesses, video images and reliable information,” he said.

During the press conference, the lawyer also said that he filed the case before the ICC because he doubted that justice would be served in the courts of Bangladesh.

“There is uncertainty that Hasina will be punished by the Bangladesh court as she is currently receiving political support from India. India might be forced to cooperate internationally if the ICC issues an arrest warrant,” Ashraful added.

In an interview with India’s largest news agency PTI published on September 5, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should remain silent in India until Bangladesh requests her extradition.

His statement came after Hasina made political statements, which Yunus called “hostile.”

“Yes, she has to be brought back or else the people of Bangladesh will not be at peace. For the kind of atrocities she has committed, she has to be tried in front of everyone here,” he said while talking to PTI from his Official Residence in Dhaka.

About the ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, when justified, tries people accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

Article 15 of the Rome Statute

According to Article 15 of the Rome Statute, the court can exercise jurisdiction on the basis of information about the crime of aggression. In this case, the prosecutor may initiate investigations against the accused.

Events that led to accusations against Hasina

Hasina fled to India from Bangladesh on August 5 after a student movement turned into a nationwide protest against the leader.

She was forced to resign from her position and flee the country in a military helicopter. He has been in India ever since, even as calls for his extradition mount.

Bangladesh has revoked the diplomatic passports of Hasina and her family members, raising questions about whether she can stay in India longer and whether she faces possible extradition.