A special court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, charging her with involvement in the deaths of over a thousand demonstrators during a violent crackdown last summer. This action comes from the International Crimes Tribunal, an entity established by Ms. Hasina in 2010 to investigate historical war crimes.
The tribunal has accused Ms. Hasina and several of her top aides of various roles in the mass killings, including incitement, facilitation, and conspiracy. The charges represent the most serious allegations against her to date, as the chief prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, claims Ms. Hasina incited violence against peaceful protesters in July 2023 before fleeing to India.
Political tensions in Bangladesh are heightened as the interim administration, which replaced Ms. Hasina, faces criticism from opposition parties for delaying elections. Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader, is under pressure to hold elections by December, though he advocates for a longer timeline to ensure fair electoral procedures.
The tribunal's proceedings have been historic, being televised live for the first time, although none of the accused were present. Prosecutor Islam stated that Ms. Hasina had labeled the student-led protesters as traitors, leading to violent reprisals from her security forces and party activists against unarmed demonstrators.
The Awami League, Ms. Hasina's party, condemned the tribunal's actions as politically motivated, calling it a “mockery of justice.” Initially celebrated for her reformist approach, Ms. Hasina's governance has since been characterized by authoritarianism, extensive political repression, and allegations of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances. The protests that erupted last summer stemmed from a dispute over job quotas but quickly escalated into widespread dissent against her regime.
A UN fact-finding mission reported that around 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown on protesters, suggesting these actions were coordinated by senior political and security officials. Nevertheless, the tribunal is operating under a caretaker government accused of political bias and lacking a clear mandate.
Originally founded to address atrocities from the 1971 Liberation War, the tribunal has faced accusations of targeting political opponents, particularly during Ms. Hasina's tenure. Criticism from the UN and Human Rights Watch highlights concerns over due process and the pressure on prosecutors to expedite cases in response to public outcry.
Legal experts note that Ms. Hasina's absence complicates the trial process, as Bangladeshi law generally restricts the rights of defendants who are not present. India has not responded to requests for her extradition, raising questions about the trial's fairness and duration, which typically requires extensive witness testimony and could span several years.