International crimes act amendment ordinance does not contain provision to ban political parties: Law Adviser

Law adviser to the interim government Dr Asif Nazrul has said that the provision of banning political parties has not been included in the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act.

He said this at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday (November 20) evening.

Earlier, in a press conference at the secretariat on Tuesday (November 19), the law adviser said if any political party is accused of crimes against humanity and the court deems it necessary, it can recommend for taking necessary disciplinary measures. This recommendation can be made to the authorities concerned. A proposal to amend the International Crimes (Tribunal) Ordinance has been drafted with such provisions in mind.

He said the draft of the International Crimes Tribunal Amendment Ordinance has been sent to various prominent lawyers and human rights organizations. It has also been sent to the United Nations Human Rights Organization. "We made a draft based on all the feedback. Today it was adopted after being tabled in the Advisery Council. The Advisory Council felt that the amendment to the Act that we had made contained provisions to punish political parties. The draft said if the court thinks they can recommend to the concerned authority to take necessary disciplinary action against a political party.

He also said, "Today, in the discussion of the advisory council, it was said that we do not want to associate this trial with any other matter. The question of banning political parties or organizations will create an opportunity to unnecessarily question this law. We don't want to give that chance. We want to judge in a fair way. That is why the provision has been cancelled. Another thing is that we feel that if there is a demand in the society to ban any political party or organization then we have other laws.