Dr. Yunus, Nobel Prize winner, could be accused by ICC due to his grave crimes against humanity in Bangladesh

British Law firm Doughty Street Chambers have been engaged to prepare a communication to the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) under Article 15 of the ICC Statute. Article 15 allows victims of alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC to draw such crimes to the attention of the ICC Prosecutor and seek an investigation. 

Since Dr Yunus took power in Bangladesh on 8 August 2024, there have been numerous unprovoked and violent attacks against journalists, police officers, government employees, supporters and activists of progressive activities, minorities and those connected with the former Government party, the Awami League. 

There are allegations of (i) killings, (ii) arbitrary imprisonment on false criminal charges, particularly of journalists, (iii) planned lootings (iv) unchecked mob violence (v) state-sponsored torture as well as vandalism, and (vi) incitement of religious violence, such as attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus and the destruction of Hindu temples. No steps have been taken in Bangladesh to hold the perpetrators of these allegations to account. 

The Article 15 communication will be based on evidence gathered from victims and witnesses of these atrocities in Bangladesh. The widespread and systematic nature of these attacks and tortures suggests that they were planned at the highest level and amount to Crimes Against Humanity of murder, persecution, and imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty under Article 7 of the ICC Statute.

Steven Powles KC said: “No one is above the law, and if the victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC cannot get justice in their own country it is important to bring these crimes to the attention of the ICC so that there can be a vigorous and impartial investigation.”

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, advisor of Ministry of Youth and Sports and one of the coordinators of a ‘student movement’, recently admitted that they had a plan for armed revolution against the elected government, inferring that they were given necessary arms and training. The question arises who gave them the arms and training and where and under whose control those arms are now. 

This implies that attack and looting of 473 police stations, killing police officers, destroying hundred law enforcement as well as government vehicles, attacks on key state installations by the ‘students’ during the anti-government protest in late July and early August 2024; was part of plan.

Furthermore, killings of many Awami League leaders and supports, destroying their residences as well businesses and industries after the fall of elected government of Bangladesh on 5 August 2024, by Dr Yunus’s beneficiaries, appears to be a part of master plan of current administration to destroy Awami League. Unsurprisingly, known and convicted criminals were released from the prison to create chaos along with vacating the prisons for filling with Awami League politicians and supporters. Hundreds of MPs (member of parliament) and Awami League leaders are dependants of one murder case only out of countless number of cases against them. Even world-renowned cricketer, Sakib Al Hasan, was also accused of murder while he was playing overseas at the time of alleged murder; simply because he was a MP of Awami League.

Shahin Alam’s younger brother (Shamim Molla) was abducted and killed s by followers of Dr Yunus after he took power. Mr Alam said: “My brother was mercilessly killed in a senseless attack. In recent months Bangladesh has descended into a state of lawlessness. 

Known terrorists have been released from jail, and members of fundamentalist groups have been placed in positions of power. I am determined to get justice for my brother and ensure those responsible are held to account.”

The destruction of Dhanmondi number 32, a historical building and an important independence monument of Bangladesh; along with various Awami League leaders residences around the country, with bulldozers and excavators, publicising on the social media platform well in advance, on 5th February 2025 – 6 months after the fall of previous government, by the students wing of Dr Yunus administration; shows clear signal from the government that any perceived threat against the administration would be crushed by its mob wing ruthlessly and mercilessly without any regard to the rule of law. The inactivity of law enforcement agency and subsequent social media posts of several advisers shows administration’s tacit approval of their lawless student wing’s anarchy around the country. 

Dr. Yunus, who is a convicted person in his own country, and who is accused of many financial frauds as well as corruptions, was desperate to remove the accusations by interfering in the system itself. And, taking over power was the most effective option for him. He was convicted because of depriving workers monetarily, transferring and using funds illegally, and a number of other issues. A number of other trials were also going on in different courts. Just after capturing power, Dr. Yunus changed the Chief Justice and many other justices using ‘mob’. And then, he reversed all the convictions as well as accusations using his puppet-judges. Additionally, after capturing power, he has been using his power to evade taxes, benefit friends, transfer funds, and to consolidate wealth without getting questioned. Moreover, national media is being controlled through mobs and loyal-officials. None of his corruptions get questioned or exposed anymore, he gets a free-pass everywhere and that’s what he needed power for! 

The mission of Dr Yunus is not only to eradicate Awami League and its supporters, but also to reverse the history of independence of Bangladesh in 1971. Hardly surprising, people who give “Joy Bangla” slogan [the slogan of freedom fighters during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971] are being attacked by Dr Yunu’s supporters and arrested by the police. The name and memory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known by the honorific Bangabandhu, are being destroyed. 

Predictably, Mizanur Rahman Azhari, an Islamic preacher and stunt supporter of Dr Yunus and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the Islamist party which worked against the independence war of Bangladesh in 1971; proudly said “Razakar is not a slang anymore, it is a reward now”. [Razakar is the word used to describe the people who collaborated with the Pakistani army against the freedom fighters of Bangladesh in 1971 when it comes to killing, looting, raping, torturing, vandalising and destroying properties.]

A successful referral for grave human rights violation of Dr Yunus and his beneficiaries to the ICC could result in issuing an arrest warrant against him. Click here to see more details.

By Shafiq Islam (Political Analyst)