Dhaka: Complaints have been filed with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former presidents Abdul Hamid and Mohammed Shahabuddin over crimes against humanity committed during their tenure.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Azad Party and the Rashtra Sanglap Forum submitted separate complaints on Sunday. The Bangladesh Azad Party’s complaint alleges that the two former presidents failed to fulfill their constitutional duties amidst enforced disappearances, murders, and genocide while in office, indirectly supporting these crimes through silence.

Leaders of the Bangladesh Azad Party told reporters that, although the two former presidents received salaries and allowances from taxpayers’ money, they did not properly discharge their constitutional responsibilities. They alleged that neither president protested against or took effective action to prevent enforced disappearances, murders, and secret detentions, which occurred up to August 5, 2024.

The leaders emphasized that the President, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, possesses significant constitutional powers. They further alleged that neither of the former presidents used these powers to protect citizens’ lives and property or to prevent crimes.

In a separate complaint, Al Noor Mohammad Ayas, central member secretary of the Rashtra Sanglap Forum, called for an investigation into Shahabuddin’s alleged role in ordering or facilitating shootings, torture, killings, and enforced disappearances during the July Uprising. Ayas also urged for an independent investigation into Shahabuddin’s potential legal responsibility or involvement in the 2024 national election and human rights violations during the mass uprising.