The International Crimes Tribunal has issued a prohibition on the broadcast and dissemination of hate speeches by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina through both traditional media outlets and social media platforms.
The directive was announced on Thursday (5 December), following a hearing on an application filed by the prosecution team. A three-member bench, led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza, delivered the order.
In conjunction with this, the tribunal instructed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to ensure the removal of previously circulated hate speeches by Sheikh Hasina from media platforms and social networks.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country amidst a mass uprising led by students and citizens on 5 August, is currently residing in India.
From there, she has been making various remarks about the interim government, reportedly instructing her associates via phone calls to propagate her statements.
These speeches have frequently gone viral on social media.
Most recently, Sheikh Hasina delivered a virtual address from India to a discussion forum hosted in the United States.
The content of her speech was widely shared across various social media platforms.
According to the prosecution, her statements have been incendiary, prompting their application for a halt to the circulation of such hate speech.
In related developments, on 18 November, the tribunal ordered that the investigation into the genocide cases filed against Sheikh Hasina in July and August be concluded within one month.
The investigation report must be submitted by 17 December.
Additionally, an application seeking the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice for Sheikh Hasina’s arrest remains under process.
