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Published : 07 Oct 2025, 12:20 PM
The interim government has amended the law to bar anyone formally charged with crimes against humanity from contesting elections or holding public office.
The amendment, the third to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act of 1973 within a year, was issued on Monday as an ordinance titled "International Crimes Tribunal (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2025".
The move effectively bars Awami League chief and ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from taking part in future elections. Hasina, who was deposed by a student-led mass uprising on Aug 5, 2024, fled to India on the same day.
The interim government’s Advisory Council had approved the proposed amendment on Sept 4, clearing the way for the new provision to be added. After the completion of formalities, it was issued as an ordinance titled “International Crimes Tribunal (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2025” on Monday night,.
Under the newly inserted Section 20C, once formal charges are filed against an individual under the ICT law, they will be automatically disqualified from running for parliament or remaining in any elected post. The same rule applies to local government representatives such as mayors, chairmen, commissioners, and councillors.
They will also be deemed ineligible for recruitment or appointment to any position in the service of the republic or other government posts.
However, the disqualification will not apply if the accused is later acquitted or discharged by the tribunal.
Officials say the change aims to ensure that no one facing war crimes charges can hold state responsibility while under trial.
Since the ousting of the Awami League, some of the ministers, MPs and leaders of the Hasina administration and the party’s leadership have been arrested. They are currently in jail. Others have gone into hiding or have reportedly fled abroad. Many are facing charges in connection with killings and alleged crimes against humanity committed during and after the July Uprising.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), originally set up by Hasina’s government in 2010 to prosecute war crimes committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, is now being used by the interim administration to try the Awami League chief and her associates.
One case against Hasina at the tribunal is in its final stages. A total of five charges have been brought against her – incitement, instigation and giving orders to kill 1,400 people to suppress the July Uprising protests, “superior command responsibility”, and “joint criminal enterprise”.
A path to trying the Awami League as a party was opened in February by an amendment to the tribunal law. The prosecution branch of the tribunal says it launched its investigation into the trial on Tuesday.
All activities of the Awami League have been banned until the trial concludes. The Election Commission has also suspended the registration of the Awami League as a party.
The suspension of the party registration had already barred Hasina from running for office as a member of the Awami League. Now, with the addition of the new section to the tribunal law, Hasina – who is charged in multiple cases over crimes against humanity - cannot contest the polls as an independent candidate either.
