Former PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death over Human Rights Crimes in Bangladesh

Discover key developments as Former PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death, sparking political unrest, global concern, and rising tensions across Bangladesh.

Former PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death

Bangladesh has entered a pivotal moment of political turmoil after the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka handed down a death sentence to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity tied to last year’s violent, student-led protests. The ruling, issued under tight security, has sharply heightened political tensions as the country gears up for national elections early next year.

Hasina Found Liable by Tribunal for Violent Crackdown Tragedy

The tribunal found that Hasina both authorized and neglected to stop lethal force during the August 2024 protests, which ultimately toppled her administration. The proceedings were conducted in her absence, as she has been exiled in India since her resignation. According to UN estimates, as many as 1,400 people died during the uprising, most of them from security-force gunfire, and prosecutors portrayed her as the driving force behind the bloodshed.

Orders Issued Against Co-Accused and Seizure of Assets

The tribunal also handed a death sentence to former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, while giving a prison term to Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the ex-police chief who later agreed to cooperate. It ordered that assets belonging to both Hasina and Kamal be seized. The court held that their leadership decisions, and willful inaction, directly contributed to fatal violence across multiple protest locations.

Backlash Mounts as Critics Decry Tribunal as a ‘Kangaroo Court’

Hasina slammed the verdict as deeply biased and politically driven, denouncing the trial as a charade orchestrated by a government with no electoral mandate. She argued that the ruling’s true purpose is to erase her party’s influence, and challenged the authorities to bring her case before an international tribunal. Meanwhile, security forces were deployed across Bangladesh amid rising tensions, with protests and isolated explosions fuelling widespread public unease.

Some Important Facts

1. Sheikh Hasina was condemned to death by a tribunal for crimes against humanity tied to the 2024 protests.
2. United Nations estimates suggest as many as 1,400 people died during the upheaval.
3. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death, and the court ordered the seizure of both their assets.
4. Tried in absentia, Hasina has been living in exile in India.

Global Diplomatic Ripples Amid Escalating Tensions

The ruling has increased pressure on India to hand over Hasina, but experts believe this is unlikely because of sensitive regional relations. Soon after the decision was made public, opposition groups supporting the former prime minister held protests, while authorities strengthened security across the country. Although the case can still be taken to the Supreme Court, this verdict stands as a major turning point that may significantly influence Bangladesh’s political future in the coming months.

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International Response Intensifies

The verdict has drawn global criticism, with several Western governments and human-rights groups calling it politically motivated and warning of severe diplomatic fallout. International legal experts have raised concerns about the fairness of trying a former leader in exile, while some analysts predict that this could isolate Bangladesh on the world stage – potentially undermining crucial foreign investment and bilateral cooperation.

Economic Implications Loom Large

In the wake of mounting political turbulence, markets in Dhaka and regional hubs have shown signs of unrest. Foreign investors are reportedly growing wary, fearing instability could disrupt trade and infrastructure projects. The government may be forced to divert funds toward security and crisis management, potentially delaying or scaling back economic reforms. This dynamic threatens to slow Bangladesh’s development trajectory.

Potential Impact on Voter Sentiment

With national elections coming up, this ruling could dramatically reshape public opinion. Supporters of Hasina might rally more fervently, framing her conviction as state persecution, while her opponents may see it as a long-awaited reckoning. The verdict is likely to deepen political polarization, making electoral campaigns more volatile and influencing how different demographic groups, especially the youth, align themselves in the next voting cycle.

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