DHAKA, Feb 11, 2025 (BSS) - The government has amended the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, to make it time-befitting by issuing the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, with a view to strengthening the tribunal.

"As it is advisable and necessary to make further amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, (Act No XIX of 1973)...the President by the power given by the Article 93 (1) of the constitution, formulated and issued International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025," said the gazette issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division yesterday (Monday).

According to the ordinance, the word "Statute" in clause (e) of the sub-section (2) of the section 4 of the act will be replaced by the word "Act".

The earlier clause (f) of the sub-section (2) of the section 4 will be replaced by the clause: "In respect of the war of aggression as crimes against peace, the provisions of this section shall apply only to persons in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a state."

Instead of six weeks set by the previous act, the chief prosecutor can from now on furnish a list of witnesses along with the recorded statement of witnesses or copies thereof and copies of documents which the prosecution intends to rely upon in support of such charges, to the tribunal at least three weeks before the commencement of the trial.

A new sub-section (9) will be added in the section 11 of the act, narrating, "A tribunal may order freezing or confiscation of the accused's assets to prevent evasion or flight, realize compensation under section 20A and ensure justice."

Instead of the word "Reports" in sub-section (3) of the section 12 of the act, word "complaints" will be added with (,) in between.

A new sub-section (5) in the section 19 will be added, with "Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Tribunal shall not be bound by technical rules of evidences and may adopt and apply expeditions and non-technical procedures."

The Council of Advisers on February 6 gave final approval to the draft ordinance in principle.