Sheikh Hasina's Absence Doesn't Deter Legal Action: The Trial on Charges of Crimes Against Humanity Begins in Bangladesh
Trial Initiation: Ex-Premier Hasina Faces Court in Bangladesh
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link In this intriguing turn of events, the trial against the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, is now underway—all while she's cooling her heels in India.
In a grim disclosure made by Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam on a recent Sunday, it was revealed that Sheikh Hasina is accused of orchestrating a vicious assault on the populace through deploying police and the party's armed faction to quash dissent raised during the violent protests last year. According to figures sourced from the United Nations, a staggering 1400 individuals lost their lives in the clashes with law enforcement during these protests[4].
Delving deeper into the allegations, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh is examining Hasina for her involvement in “aiding, abetting, participating, conspiring, and failing to prevent a massacre during the unrest” that erupted in July 2024. Alongside Hasina, her fellow associates from her now-prohibited Awami League party are also being charged[3].
A gripping twist in the tale unfolded in August last year, when Hasina, then 77 years old, chose to flee the country by helicopter, leaving behind weeks of mass protests. This event paved the way for the army to install a provisional government with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus stepping into the helm. Despite receiving an arrest warrant issued by the Dhaka authorities for her alleged crimes, Hasina has persistently evaded arrest[3].
The iron-fisted rule of Hasina, which lasted for an impressive 15 years, was tainted by accusations of human rights violations – including the unjust imprisonment and cold-blooded murder of opposition figures[6].
For the record,Hasina and her co-conspirators could potentially face the death penalty in case they are found guilty under ICT law[3].
[1] ntv.de
[2] afp
[3] aljazeera.com
[4] bbc.com
[6] bbc.com #alerting_of_the_human_rights_violations
In the context of the current crisis, the Commission has decided to extend the period of validity of the programme to cover the following areas: politics, general news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice, given the ongoing trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh for crimes against humanity. The international community remains vigilant, keeping a close eye on possible human rights violations and the ongoing political scene in Bangladesh.
