In a dramatic escalation with respect to the domestic politics of Bangladesh, International Crimes Tribunal(ICT) in Dhaka has imposed a death sentence to the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over her alleged involvement in the 2024 violent protests. She was booked for crimes against humanity and five charges were imposed including incitement and involvement in killing of protestors and other human rights violations that allegeldly led to the death of more than 1000 people during the 2024 students’ protest. The verdict of death sentence reflects the unstable political landscape of Bangladesh. Days prior to the verdict on November 17, Dhaka was boiling in violent protests thus disrupting the public life.
In her maiden reaction to the verdict of the ICT, Sheikh Hasina has asserted that the judgement is completely politically motivated and biased. She has also called the International Crimes Tribunal(ICT) as “rigged”, which is manipulated and controlled by the unelected interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus that doesn’t respect the democratic mandate.
Sheikh Hasina also affirmed that the true intention behind the proceedings of the tribunal was never to serve justice for the unfortunate incidents of August 2024. The hidden agenda of the ICT was to “scapegoat” the Awami League(the political party of Sheikh Hasina which is currently banned by the Yunus administration) thereby diverting the attention of the world from the misdeeds of the interim government. She also described the current state of Bangladesh politics and the Yunus administration as “chaotic, violent and socially regressive”.
Hasina takes a jibe at the atrocities of Yunus administration & targeted attacks on the Hindu community
While reacting to the death sentence imposed on her, Sheikh Hasina also reflected on the state of Bangladesh’s polity, economy and the society under the interim government. She said that public services have fallen apart and police are retreating as they are unable to handle the crime-ridden streets of Dhaka. She also said that judicial transparency and fairness have been dismantled.
Hasina also spoke about the repeated and spiking atrocities on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh. She asserted how Hindu’s are consistently assaulted and even the women’s rights are suppressed. Even the journalists are tortured and subjugated. She quotes the administrators of the interim government as “Islamic extremists” who are undermining the long-held secular fabric of Bangladesh. All these atrocities have cumulatively derailed the economic stability and prosperity of Bangladesh, which was once one among the strongest emerging economies of Asia.
Yunus government is unelected and not legitimate
Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina further criticized the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus as unelected, undemocratic and non-legitimate. “Not a single citizen of Bangladesh has cast a vote for him or been given the chance to do so. Bangladesh’s future belongs to its people”, Hasina further added. Thus, she urges the upcoming elections scheduled for 2026 to be “free, fair and inclusive”.
“Not given a chance to defend myself in the court”: Sheikh Hasina
Further elaborating on the criminal charges conspiring against her, Sheikh Hasina asserted that she was not given a fair chance to defend herself in the court. She didn’t even have an option to have the lawyers of her choice to represent and advocate in her absence. Hasina also scrutinised the nature of the functioning of the International Crimes Tribunal. “Despite its name, there is nothing international about ICT. Nor is it in any way impartial”, Hasina added.
The senior judges and advocates who were sympathetic towards the Awami League government were deliberately removed from the tribunal. Thus, the tribunal is silent and has done nothing to investigate and prosecute the actual culprits who have anchored violence against religious minorities, indigenous people, journalists and others, says Sheikh Hasina.
Not afraid and ready to face the International Criminal Court
Sheikh Hasina also affirms that she is not afraid to face the accusers in a fair and legitimate tribunal. She also challenged the interim government of Bangladesh to file a case in the International Criminal Court(ICC) in Hague and win the case. “That is why I have repeatedly challenged the interim government to bring these charges before the International Criminal Court(ICC)”, Sheikh Hasina reiterated.
However, Hasina says the interim government of Bangladesh will not accept her challenge because the verdict would be in favour of her in the ICC. On the other hand, ICC would screw the interim government itself for the violation of human rights and other atrocities in Bangladesh, says Sheikh Hasina.
“We will not allow elections without Awami League”: Sajeeb Wazed
Reacting to the verdict, Sajeeb Wazed, son of Sheikh Hasina said that they will not allow the 2026 elections to happen without the participation of Awami League which is currently banned by the interim government from contesting the elections. “Our protests are going to get stronger and stronger, we will do whatever it takes. Unless the international community does something, eventually there’s probably going to be a violence in Bangladesh before elections”, asserts Sajeeb Wazed.
“India committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh”: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs in its reaction to the verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal(ICT) said, “India has noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end”, MEA statement reiterated.
