Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death for Crimes Against Humanity in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has entered a critical phase of political unrest after the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s deadly student-led protests. The verdict, delivered under heavy security, has intensified political tensions as the country approaches national elections early next year.

Tribunal Finds Hasina Responsible for Deadly Crackdown

The tribunal ruled that Hasina ordered and failed to prevent lethal action during the protests that toppled her government in August 2024. Proceedings were held in her absence, as she has been living in exile in India since stepping down. UN estimates suggest up to 1,400 people were killed during the uprising, most from gunfire by security forces, and prosecutors described her as the mastermind behind the violence.

Co-Accused and Asset Confiscation Orders

The tribunal also sentenced former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death and handed a prison term to former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who later became an approver. It ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to both Hasina and Kamal. The court held the leadership responsible for command decisions and deliberate inaction that led to killings at multiple protest sites.

Political Backlash and Claims of a ‘Kangaroo Court’

Hasina condemned the verdict as biased and politically motivated, calling the trial a farce conducted by an unelected interim administration. She stated that the ruling aims to eliminate her party as a political force and challenged authorities to present the case before an international tribunal. Across Bangladesh, security forces were deployed amid fears of retaliation as protests and isolated explosions added to public anxiety.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 protests.
• UN estimates indicate up to 1,400 deaths during the unrest.
• Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also received a death sentence; assets of both leaders were ordered seized.
• Hasina has been living in exile in India and was tried in absentia.

Diplomatic Implications and Rising Tensions

The ruling places India under pressure to extradite Hasina, though such a move appears unlikely due to complex regional dynamics. Critics of the former prime minister organised rallies as the judgement was announced, while the government deployed additional forces nationwide. With appeals still possible in the Supreme Court, the verdict marks a pivotal moment that could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape in the months ahead.