International Criminal Court appreciates Bangladesh’s commitment to rule of law

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has “highly appreciated” Bangladesh's commitment to the court as well as to the concept of rule of law, the foreign ministry says.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 Jan 2015, 10:50 AM
Updated : 26 Jan 2015, 10:50 AM

Both President Sang Hyun Song and Prosecutor of the ICC Fatou Besouda lauded Bangladesh when Law Minister Anisul Huq met them at their offices recently.

The foreign ministry on Monday said Huq was on a day-long visit to The Hague “to discuss further collaboration with the court”.

He reiterated Bangladesh's “unequivocal commitment to the court and the purpose it is willing to serve”.

The Hague-based ICC is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal.

It has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

Highlighting Bangladesh's own blood-stained journey to freedom, the law minister shared with the president and the prosecutor “how Bangladesh is determined to bring an end to impunity globally”.

During his meeting with Prosecutor Bensouda, they discussed the issue of ‘Birangana’ or "war heroine" in Bangladesh and “how Bangladesh is determined to pay the respect they deserve”.

“The Prosecutor was appreciative of Bangladesh's leadership in the field of law and justice and expressed their readiness to work with Bangladesh to furthering the purposes of court,” the ministry said.

Huq thanked the prosecutor for her dedication to the cause of law and justice, and told her about Bangladesh's deep appreciation for their recently released policy paper on sexual and gender-based crimes.

He highlighted Bangladesh's legal history and assured the Office of the Prosecutor of further collaboration in implementing their policy on such crimes.

Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart, Special Assistant Sam Shoamanesh, Senior Legal Adviser Shamila Batohi and other high officials were present during the meeting.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal accompanied the visiting minister.

The law minister also explored further collaboration with The Hague institute for Global Justice and discussed specific project developments in Bangladesh.

He met with the President of the Institute Dr Abioudin Williams and discussed “specific collaborations”.