Bangladesh Army: Warrant Threats Concerning Officers’ Morale

Select Language:

Members of the Bangladesh Army arrive at a temporary base after deployment nationwide to assist civilian authorities during the general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 3, 2024. — Reuters

Dhaka: The Bangladesh military stated Saturday that arrest warrants issued against high-ranking officers have dampened troop morale ahead of the upcoming elections, but reaffirmed their commitment to justice amid growing tensions.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued warrants for 24 military officers over alleged involvement in enforced disappearances during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The tribunal is investigating former senior officials linked to Hasina’s dismissed government and her now-banned Awami League party.

The warrants follow an inquiry that verified over 250 cases of disappearances, believed to have been carried out by security agencies over the 15 years Hasina’s party has been in power.

Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, the army’s adjutant general, acknowledged the potential impact of the tribunal’s actions.

“I cannot deny that the arrest warrants for military officers are affecting us, but we remain committed to ensuring justice,” Hakimuzzaman told reporters in Dhaka.

An interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, established the commission to examine disappearance cases and has received approximately 1,700 complaints so far.

Hakimuzzaman added that 15 active-duty officers have been detained following the warrants.

“They are separated from their families and are being held in high-security detention facilities with proper guards and arrangements,” he explained.

The officers are scheduled to appear before the ICT on October 22.

“We are working to resolve certain issues promptly and will seek answers from the responsible authorities,” Hakimuzzaman added.

This development marks the first instance where so many senior former and active security personnel are expected to face civilian justice in Bangladesh.