Tribunal charges to bar individuals from becoming MPs

Any individual against whom formal charges are filed in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will be disqualified from becoming or remaining a Member of Parliament (MP), according to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Law.

The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued the notification on Monday (6 October).

The gazette states that once formal charges are filed in the ICT, the accused person will be deemed ineligible to hold certain positions. He or she will not be eligible to be elected to, or remain in, the Jatiya Sangsad. The person will also be disqualified from being elected or appointed as a member, commissioner, chairman, mayor, or administrator of local government bodies. Furthermore, they will be barred from being appointed to any service of the Republic or from holding any other government office.

The notification further clarifies that, notwithstanding these provisions, if the Tribunal acquits or discharges any individual, this clause will not apply to that person.

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