Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has officially begun legal proceedings to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, where she has taken refuge following her ouster. The move comes in response to mounting demands for Hasina to face trial for her role in overseeing widespread violence and human rights abuses before she departed from office in early August.
The chief prosecutor of ICT, Mohammad Tajul Islam, confirmed on Sunday that steps are underway to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh to face charges related to her administration’s brutal crackdown on mass protests. “Sheikh Hasina is the main perpetrator responsible for massacres that occurred during the final weeks of her rule,” Islam stated, referring to the violent suppression of demonstrations that resulted in the deaths of over 600 people according to a preliminary United Nations report.
Hasina’s 15-year reign, marred by accusations of corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights violations, came to a dramatic end on August 5, when she fled to India amid mass protests. Demonstrations, which began as student-led movements, quickly escalated into nationwide unrest, with the government responding with extreme force. Thousands of protesters were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, culminating in one of the bloodiest chapters in Bangladesh’s history.
The final straw came when Bangladesh’s military refused to comply with orders to quash the growing revolution by force. Fearing for her safety, Hasina fled Dhaka by military helicopter, seeking refuge in India, where she has remained out of public view since. Her sudden departure has led to heightened tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi, with Bangladesh now seeking her extradition to face trial.
Legal and Diplomatic Challenges
While Bangladesh and India signed a criminal extradition treaty in 2013, Hasina’s government was in power at the time, complicating the situation. treaty includes a clause allowing for extradition to be refused if charges have a “political character.” However, Bangladesh’s current interim government, led by Nobel laureate and economist Muhammad Yunus, is determined to pursue Hasina’s return.
“Bangladesh will push hard to bring Hasina back to face justice,” said Yunus, who took charge following mass protests that ousted Hasina. Yunus has called for Hasina’s silence during her time in India, warning that any interference in Bangladesh’s ongoing political transition could worsen diplomatic strain. “If India wants to keep her until Bangladesh calls her back, the condition is she must remain quiet,” Yunus told reporters.
Public pressure in Bangladesh is mounting, with thousands calling for Hasina to stand trial for her government’s violent actions. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been vocal in demanding justice. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP’s general secretary, insisted that Hasina must be tried in Bangladesh for crimes against humanity. “People deserve accountability for massacres carried out under her regime,” Alamgir said.
Mass Protests and Human Rights Abuses
protests that led to Hasina’s downfall were sparked by student-led demonstrations but quickly transformed into a mass uprising against her administration’s increasingly authoritarian rule. Reports of extrajudicial killings, mass detentions, and violent crackdowns on dissent became a hallmark of her final months in power. In a UN investigation, the death toll from the government’s response was found to have exceeded 600, with many more left injured or missing.
Families of those killed during protests, like Mahabubar Rahman, whose 19-year-old son Shoikot was shot dead during a demonstration, are seeking justice. “Sheikh Hasina is responsible for my son’s death, and I will not rest until she is held accountable,” Rahman said in a tearful statement.
Despite Hasina’s ouster, the road to justice remains uncertain. Some fear that Bangladesh’s weakened judiciary, which lost much of its independence under Hasina’s rule, may not be equipped to handle a fair trial for a former leader. Political analysts have suggested that an international court may be required to hold her accountable for crimes against humanity.
Diplomatic Fallout
Hasina’s presence in India has also complicated relations between the two countries. While India has yet to respond publicly to the extradition request, her close relationship with the Indian government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has placed New Delhi in a difficult position. Experts say India may resist calls to extradite Hasina due to political implications.
Further complicating matters, Hasina is reportedly seeking asylum in the UK, where her son resides. However, given the severity of the charges against her and ongoing legal actions in Bangladesh, experts believe her chances of securing asylum are slim.
Conclusion
As Bangladesh’s interim government moves forward with its bid to extradite Sheikh Hasina, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice and accountability for atrocities committed under her rule. With rising anti-India sentiment and a growing push for legal action, the outcome of this extradition battle will likely shape the future political landscape of Bangladesh.
