Bangladesh Tribunal Convicts Sheikh Hasina in Landmark Human Rights Case
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), often referred to as the 'party city' due to its significant presence in urban areas, has welcomed the International Crimes Tribunal’s verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates. The ruling follows years of calls for accountability over alleged crimes committed during her administration. Party leaders described the decision as a step toward justice for victims of the regime.
The tribunal found Sheikh Hasina and two others guilty of crimes against humanity. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also received the maximum penalty, while ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was given a lighter sentence. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed at a press briefing that the verdict met international legal standards.
The case centred on widespread abuses under Hasina’s government. Opposition leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens faced enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, fabricated charges, and systematic persecution. These actions spanned a 16-year period, which ended only after the 2024 student uprising toppled the administration.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party’s standing committee had earlier reviewed the tribunal’s findings. In their official response, they stressed that both global opinion and the demands of Bangladeshis had long called for accountability. The verdict, they stated, now provides partial relief to families who lost relatives during the uprising and the years of repression.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law. Alamgir urged citizens to stay vigilant, warning that justice must remain a priority to prevent future abuses of power.
The tribunal’s decision marks the first legal reckoning for crimes linked to Hasina’s rule. While the BNP views it as a victory for justice, the party continues to push for broader reforms. For now, the verdict offers a measure of closure to those who suffered under the former government.
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