Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is dealing with severe legal prices for allegedly inflicting 848 deaths throughout final yr’s widespread public protests. Hasina, who fled to India on 5 August 2024, is now the first goal of a significant legal investigation, whilst she continues to stir controversy from overseas.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Celebration (BNP) filed a proper criticism on 13 February 2025, with the Worldwide Crimes Tribunal, which Hasina’s personal authorities had initially set as much as deal with crimes in opposition to humanity. The tribunal has issued two arrest warrants in opposition to her – one for mass killings and one other for making political opponents disappear. Since Hasina is in India, the tribunal has requested authorities to work with Interpol to arrest her.
Along with it, tensions flared up in Bangladesh, when Hasina made a digital speech from India on 5 February 2025. The speech triggered violent protests in Dhaka, the place demonstrators attacked and set hearth to the house-turned-museum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father and Bangladesh’s founding chief. The museum, positioned in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32 space, had been an vital political heart for Hasina’s Awami League occasion throughout her 15-year rule.
Md Salauddin Khan, the BNP’s case knowledge and coordination chief has detailed the dimensions and severity of the accusations in a complete assertion. The criticism identifies Hasina because the principal accused within the systematic killing of 848 leaders and activists affiliated with the BNP and its related organizations through the intense interval of civil unrest in July and August final yr. The costs aren’t simply in opposition to Hasina – in addition they embrace a number of vital members of her authorities. These embrace ministers who oversaw dwelling affairs, legislation, and knowledge, together with high cops who’re accused of serving to cease the protests with violence.
To help their case, the BNP has offered intensive proof, together with lists of names, audio and video recordings, and paperwork from 84 completely different instances. Khan emphasised their objective is justice, not revenge, for the systematic killing of their supporters.
A current United Nations human rights report launched on 13 February 2025 paints an excellent darker image, estimating that about 1,400 individuals died throughout July and August final yr, with 12% being kids. Over 22,000 individuals had been injured through the protests in opposition to Hasina’s authorities.
Hasina’s speech clashes between pupil protesters and Awami League supporters. The violence lasted three days earlier than the interim authorities, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, launched “Operation Satan Hunt.” This operation introduced in police and paramilitary forces to revive order, resulting in the arrest of greater than 1,300 individuals, largely Awami League members.
Nahid Islam, the Data and Broadcasting adviser, has criticized India for sheltering Hasina, saying, “India should take duty for permitting Hasina to offer political instructions from their shelter.” The Bangladesh authorities has formally requested India to return Hasina, however with no response from New Delhi but.
Hasina in her digital deal with defended her legacy, saying, “Demolishing a constructing can solely destroy a construction however could not erase the historical past.” She known as her opponents “anti-liberation forces” and warned that “historical past can retaliate.” Nevertheless, the Yunus authorities responded that she had “insulted and disrespected” those that died in final summer season’s rebellion.
The present unrest threatens to derail the coed motion’s efforts to construct a brand new democracy with truthful elections and a structure that may’t be manipulated. What started as a protest in opposition to job reservations for freedom fighters’ descendants in July become widespread anger in opposition to Hasina’s more and more authoritarian 15-year rule.
Wanting forward, the Anti-Discrimination Pupil Motion and Jatiya Nagorik Committee have introduced plans to kind a brand new political occasion. Hasnat Abdullah, a key pupil motion chief, defined that present political events have failed to know the aspirations of the individuals, particularly the youth.
To handle these challenges, the transitional authorities below Yunus has created a “nationwide consensus fee” that may work for six months, beginning February 15, to assist implement reforms and construct a extra secure future for Bangladesh. Yunus emphasised that the “new Bangladesh” they’re constructing will likely be distinguished by following the rule of legislation, transferring away from what he known as “the previous Bangladesh below fascist rule.”
