Order to remove judges’ photos spread after verdict against Sheikh Hasina

The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the immediate removal of the photos and videos of judges that have spread on social media along with defamatory comments following the verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a crimes-against-humanity case. It has also asked for a report on the matter by December 3.

On Sunday (November 23), the order was issued by the two-member judicial panel of Tribunal-1 headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumdar. The other member of the panel is retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

In the crimes-against-humanity case relating to incidents in July-August, the Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to death and sentenced former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to five years’ imprisonment. The verdict was delivered on November 13.

After the verdict, photos of the Tribunal’s judges were used across social and news media accompanied by defamatory comments, which came to the Tribunal’s attention. Acting on its own initiative, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar ordered the BTRC Chairman and the Information Secretary to remove such photos and comments.

In the order, the Tribunal said that freedom of thought and freedom of speech are rights for all, but they must be exercised in accordance with the law and without insulting anyone.

Present during the order were Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, and other members of the prosecution. Defence lawyers and journalists were also present.