Lafarge allegedly paid millions to militants like the so-called "Islamic State" group in order to keep running its operations in Syria during the civil war. The company faces legal battles in France and the US. France's highest court ruled on Tuesday that cement maker Lafarge could be held liable for complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria. The company previously acknowledged that it paid nearly €13 million ($14.2 million) to middlemen to keep its Syrian cement factory running in 2013 and 2014, long after other French firms had pulled out of the country.   Lafarge was being investigated in France until an appeal was lodged by its Swiss parent company, Holcim. The ruling on Tuesday was a procedural hearing that upheld a decision by a lower court to throw out this appeal. It now clears the way for a multi-year investigation into the company's activity in Syria can continue. In the US, Lafarge pleaded guilty to charges that it paid millions to the so-called "Islamic State" group and Nusra Front. Campaigners hail 'partial victory' In a statement, Lafarge said the decision was a "legacy issue" and that it was addressing "through the legal process in France." As part of the same case, the court also ruled that investigations about Lafarge allegedly endangering its employees in Syria should be closed because French labor law did not apply abroad.   A lawyer for the French campaign group Sherpa, which has lodged a criminal complaint against Lafarge, characterized the ruling on Tuesday as a "partial victory." "The confirmation of the indictment for complicity in crimes against humanity is a key step towards Lafarge one day being tried for these acts," Anna Kiefer said. "However, the annulment of the indictment for endangering the lives of others is a major setback for the recognition of the risks that Lafarge posed to Syrian employees."

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today convicted and sentenced seven Razakars from Bagerhat to death for committing crimes against humanity in 1971. The seven convicts are- Khan Akram Hossain, Sheikh Md Ukiluddin, Md Mokbul Mollah, Khan Ashraf Ali, Rustam Ali Mollah, Sheikh Idris, and Sheikh Rafiqul Islam alias Babul. Of the seven, the last four are yet to be arrested and were tried in absentia. "The seven accused... are found unanimously guilty of the offences of 'abduction', 'torture' and 'murder', as 'crimes against humanity' enumerated in section 3(2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 as arraigned in charge no- four and five. Accordingly, be unanimously convicted and condemned to sentence of death," said the judgment pronounced by the three-judge panel of the ICT-1. The three judges, chairman Justice Md Shahinur Islam, members Justice Md Abu Ahmed Jamadar and Justice KM Hafizul Alam read out the summary of the 293-page judgment one by one. Justice Md Shahinur Islam read out the sentencing portion. The tribunal came up with the judgment as it found the seven guilty in all the seven charges framed against them and ordered them to be hanged by the neck till their death. The tribunal sent three convicts Khan Akram Hossain, Sheikh Md Ukiluddin and Md Mokbul Mollah to prison together with the conviction warrant and a copy of the judgment. The tribunal on August 1, 2018 framed seven charges of crimes against humanity against total 12 accused in the case. Out of the 12, four accused Idris Ali Mollah, Md Hashem Ali Sheikh, Sultan Ali Khan and Md Maniruzzaman Howlader died during trial and another accused Md Ajahar Ali Sikder died on October 17, 2023, after closure of summing up phase. Their names were dropped from the judgment.   Source: BSS

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Friday remanded journalist Muhammad Khalid Jamil in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for two days, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The development comes after Jamil's arrest on Thursday night.  According to FIA, Khalid Jamil was detained on charges of spreading a "provocative narrative" against state institutions through his posts on social media. ABN News, the TV Channel with which Jamil is affiliated confirmed his arrest in a post shared on X. The first information report lodged by the agency said the accused was "found sharing and propagating highly intimidating content/tweets on social media/Twitter" (now X), Dawn reported. The FIR invoked Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), which states: "Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information through any information system, which he knows to be false, and intimidates or harms the reputation or privacy of a natural person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both," Dawn reported. In addition, the FIR included Section 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The FIR said, "The accused had knowingly misinterpreted and disseminated anti-state narrative by sharing false misleading and baseless information which are also likely to cause fear in the public and may incite anyone to commit an offence against the state or the state institution or public tranquillity." The agency further said that the "accused persons including Muhammad Khalid Jamil propagated, promoted and glorified anti-state, provocative and hatred narrative against the state institutions." The FIA did not reveal details regarding other individuals involved in the alleged crime, according to Dawn report. The agency called such intimidating content of blaming and naming through social media accounts a mischievous act of subversion to create a rift between the general public and state institutions to "harm the state of Pakistan". It further said that the accused through such intimidating content including videos "attempted to provoke the general public against the state institutions including judiciary, by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the state." The journalist community has condemned the arrest of Khalid Jamil. They have called for an explanation for the action taken by the agency. Journalist Maria Memon expressed concern over the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) swift action in Jamil's case. Menon spoke about the agency's inconsistency in their response to other online harassment cases. Meanwhile, journalist Nusrat Javeed in a post shared on X stated, "Just got the news that @khalidjamil had been arrested by FIA.  He had been a colleague of mine at @AajTv. Always found him extraordinarily soft and polite. Wonder how could he provoke trouble 4 him. The government surely needs a flawlessly credible story to defend his arrest."

A childcare worker has been accused of sexually abusing 91 young girls over a 15-year period. Officials say it is one of the worst cases of sex crimes against children in Australia's history. A 45-year-old Australian childcare worker has been charged with committing many hundreds of sex crime offenses against 91 prepubescent girls, including some as young as 1 year old, police said on Tuesday. The man was arrested last August following an almost decadelong hunt after a cache of child sexual abuse material was found on the dark web in 2014. He faces life in prison if found guilty. The 1,623 charges include 136 counts of rape, 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10 and 613 counts of producing child sex abuse material.  What do we know? Police said the crimes were committed at 10 different childcare centers in the eastern states of Queensland and New South Wales where the man worked between 2007 and 2022. He was said by police to have gone through the stringent background checks required in Australia to work in the childcare sector. Police believe the man filmed or took pictures of all his alleged crimes, resulting in more than 4,000 photos and videos of abuse. This material was used to identify 87 of the 91 victims, who are all from New South Wales or Queensland, according to investigators. Four more, who remain unidentified, were abused while the man worked overseas between 2013 and 2014.  Police said they were now working with international authorities to find those children but declined to say what country or countries are concerned. The arrest came after police in August last year identified a childcare center in the Queensland capital of Brisbane in the background of some images.  What have officials said? "I know this news will seem unfathomable, and I know there will be many questions," said assistant federal police commissioner Justine Gough. "There is not much solace I can give to the parents and children who have been identified," she added. New South Wales assistant police commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said it was "beyond the realms of anyone's imagination what this person did to these children."   "I can only say, you try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police, but this is a horrific case," he added. The man is scheduled to appear in court in Queensland on August 21. After the conclusion of those hearings, he will be taken to New South Wales to face further charges.

A prominent Turkish human rights legal consultant, who had accused India of "war crimes against Kashmiri Muslims", has admitted that he paid one of the suspects in the European Parliament corruption scandal for "ethical lobbying services" that included resolutions condemning war crimes in Syria and Yemen , the Financial Times reported. The firm had put up a "legal appeal" against the Indian Army Chief and Home Minister to London's Metropolitan Police following an investigative report on alleged "war crimes in Jammu and Kashmir." Camuz told the Financial Times he only spoke with Giorgi and believed the company was legitimate. The Financial Times reported that Giorgi has admitted to helping his boss use a web of companies to disguise payments from foreign governments including Qatar and Morocco, according to evidence from the investigation seen by the FT. "The payments [from Camuz-related entities] were in return for petitions to condemn war crimes in Syria and the protection of refugees," the Financial Times wrote quoting Camuz, the lawyer who has good connections with the administration of Turkish President Erdogan. Italian prosecutors last week expanded the Belgian-led investigation into suspected corruption by opening a separate money laundering probe. The prosecutors are looking into payments worth almost 300,000 euros into Italian bank accounts held at Intesa Sanpaolo by a consultancy set up by Panzeri's accountant, according to documents seen by the Financial Times. Two of the three entities that paid the consultancy a total of EUR 75,000 are connected to Camuz, according to payment invoices seen by the FT. A separate Istanbul-based company was issued with two invoices totalling EUR 200,000 by the Italian consultancy company. The first invoice, issued at the end of 2018, came when Panzeri was still an MEP and chair of the EU parliament's human rights committee. There is no evidence the Istanbul-based company is linked to Camuz, as per the report by the Financial Times. Camuz said he is "devastated" by the allegations made by Giorgi and said he "was lied to". He is considering taking legal action against Giorgi: "[He] honey trapped us into thinking he was the perfect person with whom we can work with." Camuz said: "Francesco [Giorgi] approached me suggesting that he can help us do ethical lobbying services in Brussels at low cost which was very impressive because he was talking about helping war crimes victims and victims of human rights abuses," the Financial Times reported. The Financial Times reported that Giorgi's boss Panzeri, who has been in jail since December, agreed to a plea deal with Belgian authorities in February, after admitting to receiving payments of up to EUR 2.6 million from the governments of Qatar, Morocco and Mauritania between 2018 and 2022. A lawyer for Bellini in Milan, who is awaiting a decision this week on her transfer to Belgium after being arrested in January and released on February 10, did not reply to multiple requests for comment. At the time Giorgi was still working as assistant to MEP Panzeri, who left the EU parliament the following year and then set up the campaign group at the centre of the corruption scandal, Fight Impunity. "I would never knowingly do anything illegal nor would I allow any illegal activity in any of the entities I am involved in," the Financial Times wrote quoting Camuz. Camuz said he never knew Bellini nor Panzeri's daughter. "Giorgi said they were his staff and partners and I never questioned his own internal staffing details."

Bangladesh Muktijuddha Mancha (BMM) wrote a memorandum to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and requested an unconditional apology for the attack and atrocities during the 1971 liberation war. In the memorandum, BMM writes, “Request the government of Pakistan in general and Pakistani Army in particular, to offer an unconditional apology to our Prime Minister and leader Sheikh Hasina and to the people of Bangladesh for the brutalities in Bangabandhu killing, 21st grenade attack and the atrocities of 1971 liberation struggle.” The memorandum also demanded Pakistan to desist, overtly or covertly, from engaging with those forces that stood against our freedom struggle and also the trial of the Pakistani army involved in killings and Genocide during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. In the memorandum, Bangladesh Muktijuddha Mancha reminded about the 1971 Liberation struggle of Bangladesh and said thirty Lakhs people were killed and Pakistani militaries raped two lakhs of women, during the war. The party also said that Pakistan ISI was directly involved in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killing. “To take revenge for surrender in the Liberation War, Pakistan started conspiring against Bangabandhu’s government. With the help of Zia-Mostaque, Pakistan killed Bangabandhu and his family members which was the most brutal political killing in the world,” the memorandum reads. Pakistan also patronised and supplied grenades to BNP-Jamaat-Huji to kill Bangabandhu’s daughter Shiekh Hasina on August 21, 2004. Some Awami League leaders created human protection to save the life of Sheikh Hasina. Finally, Sheikh Hasina was saved but 24 Awami League leaders were killed due to grenades attack,” it added. Bangladesh Muktijuddha Mancha also said that Pakistan cannot avoid responsibility for these killings. Party threatened Pakistan and said that if the country continues sponsoring terrorism in Bangladesh, they will make that their government would be bound to cut all diplomatic relations with Pakistan. “We demand to United Nations to bring the Pakistan militaries under the trial of the International War Crimes Court for their involvement in genocide and intellectuals killings in 1971,” the party concluded the sentence. The latest good news for Bangladesh is that Pakistan’s “genocide” against Bengalis, and Hindus in the 1971 war has been finally recognized as the US House condemns Islamabad’s actions and called on President Joe Biden to recognise the atrocities. The legislation brought by Congressmen Ro Khanna, and Steve Chabot, recognise Pakistan’s atrocities against ethnic groups constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. “…condemns the atrocities committed by the Armed Forces of Pakistan against the people of Bangladesh from March 1971 to December 1971; recognizes that such atrocities against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide; calls on the President of the United States to recognize the atrocities committed against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus by the Armed Forces of Pakitan during 1971 as crimes against humanity war crimes, and genocide,” the legislation read. Source: ANI

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka today sentenced Satkhira district Jamaat Amir and former MP Abdul Khaleq Mandal alias Jallad Khaleq and Khan Roknuzzaman, who is absconding, to death in a case of crimes against humanity. A three-member judicial panel led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam, chairman of the tribunal, handed down the verdict. Earlier, on November 11, 2021, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued an order setting aside any day for the verdict (CAV) to be pronounced. Abdul Khaleq Mandal was produced before the court at the time the verdict was announced. The main part of the 208-page long verdict was read out by the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Md. Shahinur Islam at 10:30am. Prosecutors Mokhlesur Rahman Badal, Sultan Mahmud Simon and Rezia Sultana Chaman were present at that time.  Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar and Mujahidul Islam Shaheen stood for the accused Khaleq Mandal. While Gazi MH Tamim, being appointed by the state, stood for fugitive accused of the case, Khan Roknuzzaman. The prosecution expressed satisfaction after the verdict as they had pleaded for the maximum punishment. Defendant's lawyer Matiur Rahman Akand, on the other hand, said the verdict would be appealed in the high court. There were four accused in this case. Among the total four accused of the case- Abdullah-hil Baki and Zahirul Islam Tekka Khan, died during the trial.   Charges were framed against the accused on March 5, 2018. A formal complaint was lodged in the case on March 19, 2017. The accused have been charged with seven counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, detention and torture. Although seven charges were brought against the accused, six charges were presented before the tribunal. Source: BSS AH

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Monday set Tuesday to pronounce judgment in crimes against humanity case against an alleged Razakar Md Abdus Samad alias Firoz Khan from Rajshahi. Justice Md Shahinur Islam, chairman of the three member panel of the ICT-1, set the date through a short order Monday morning. The tribunal on July 8, kept the verdict on CAV (curia advisory vault, meaning the court awaits judgment) as both the prosecution and defense concluded their arguments in the case on that day. The first tribunal on September 9, 2018, framed four charges of crimes against humanity against Khan and the trial was initiated through placing of opening statement on October 10. A total of 15 prosecution witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified against the accused, but the defense failed to produce any witness to vouch for Khan’s innocence. Source: BSS AH

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, the ongoing trials of war crimes and anti humanitarian crimes will not stop even if Jamaat seeks mercy. He said this at Awami League president’s political office at Dhanmondi in the capital on Saturday. Obaidul Quader said, why Jamaat is placing the matter of mercy in front after 47 years of independence- it is unclear. It may be their political strategy. Although they said nothing officially in this regard. But even if they seek mercy then the ongoing trials of war crimes and anti humanitarian crimes will not stop. He said, Jamaat with a new name. If old wine in a new bottle will come then what will be the difference. It will be the same if old ideology remains with a new name. When asked about Prime Minister’s open discussions about her retirement during an interview with Deutsche Welle, Obaidul Quader said, Prime Minister said about her retirement. She also wanted to go for retirement earlier. But she could not avail that due to the demand of party leaders-activists and councilors. Whether the leaders-activists would permit her in future it should be considered. AH   

Regional lawmakers on Friday welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which ruled that it could exercise jurisdiction over the alleged crime of deportation of the Rohingya population, despite Myanmar not being a party to the Rome Statute. “This is a milestone decision and a step forward towards accountability for the alleged atrocity crimes against the Rohingya population,” said ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) Chair Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian Parliament. Reports UNB. Santiago said, this ruling, however, is for now just on the jurisdiction to investigate around the alleged crime of deportation and we must be cautious in our optimism. It remains imperative that we continue to seek other international justice mechanisms, as well as the United Nations Security Council referral of Myanmar to the ICC for the wide array of atrocity crimes its leaders have been accused, including genocide and other crimes against humanity.  “This doesn’t mean the international community can take our collective foot off the pedal,” Santiago said in a statement UNB received from Jakarta. On Thursday, the ICC found that, while the underlying “coercive acts” under the alleged crime against humanity of deportation of Rohingya took place in a State not party to the Rome Statute, the Court nevertheless could assert jurisdiction as an element of the crime had also occurred on the territory of a State party to the Statute –in this case, Bangladesh.  The Court also concluded that such jurisdiction extended to other crimes of humanity under the Rome Statute, particularly those on the persecution of a group and other inhumane acts. “The ICC now has the opportunity to initiate a full investigation. This means bringing those responsible for the alleged human rights violations to account and possibly putting an end to the longstanding discrimination and injustices this community has faced in Myanmar,” said APHR Board Member Eva Kusuma Sundari, a member of the House of Representatives of Indonesia.  Sundari said, this will undoubtedly bring some much-needed hope and optimism for the more than one million Rohingya who have suffered under decades of brutal tyranny in Myanmar.  “We look forward to the recommendations of the preliminary examination concerning the crimes allegedly committed against the Rohingya people and hope for a full investigation and trial of those accountable for all alleged crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC,” Sundari said. In the meantime, the international community, including ASEAN states, must continue pushing for other potential mechanisms that could bring accountability and justice for all those victims of crimes across Myanmar and ensure those displaced can return, APHR said. “More than one million Rohingya have been forced from their homes over decades of discrimination and violence. International accountability is an important step towards justice but must be pursued alongside other efforts within Myanmar to ensure that those refugees and displaced persons can return home in a voluntary and dignified manner with assurances for their safety and full access to rights as citizens of Myanmar,” Sundari said. In August, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar found patterns of gross human rights violations committed in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan States, and called for the investigation and prosecution of Myanmar’s top military generals.  The Myanmar government has since continued to deny such allegations and have refused to accept the findings of the mission. It is due to deliver its full report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 18. AH