DHAKA: Deputy Prosecutor of International Criminal Court (ICC) James Stewart said the ICC committed for the investigation and trial of Rohingya atrocity and they have no interest in national political debates in the trial process. 

He was addressing a press conference in a city hotel on Thursday (July 18).

James Stewart said, “We are working to investigate and prosecute Rohingya torture. The ICC delegation members already held meetings with Ministers and senior officials here. Officials of foreign, law and home ministries were also present in the meetings.”

“Confidentiality during any investigation is essential to protect its integrity, and to protect the security of all involved,” he said.

Asked about signing of MoU with Bangladesh, Stewart said this is a normal practice everywhere and a matter of discussion. “There is no negativity from the part of Bangladesh which is a State party to the ICC.”

He also said they do not and cannot participate in national political debates or considerations of relations between States.

In reply to a question, he said, “Myanmar is not a State Party to the Rome Statute, but Bangladesh is, it is important to bear in mind that the authorisation to investigate, if granted by the Judges and any potential investigation could only focus on crimes allegedly committed in part on the territory of Bangladesh.”

“Our mandate is completely separate. As a prosecuting office, we aim to bring justice to victims wherever our jurisdiction is met, by establishing the truth of what happened and holding accountable those individuals most responsible for the crimes,” Stewart said.

He said investigating deportation and other alleged crimes would mean, of course taking a close look at the alleged violence which left the Rohingya people no option but to flee Myanmar.

Earlier on Tuesday (July 16), the delegation from the Office of the Prosecutor arrived in Dhaka on a weeklong visit to explain the judicial process and the status of the situation.

They are scheduled to leave for Cox’s Bazar on Friday (July 19) afternoon and will visit Rohingya camps and hold a meeting with government authorities there on Saturday.

Earlier in March, a delegation of ICC came to Bangladesh and visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Earlier on July 4, Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, requested the Court's Judges to authorise an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity, namely deportation, other inhumane acts and persecution committed against the Rohingya people from Myanmar.

BDST: 2012 HRS, JULY 18, 2019
RS/SMS