DHAKA – An international tribunal in Bangladesh has found former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity, sentencing her to death for her role in the violent crackdown on student protests.
The tribunal, led by Justice Muhammad Ghulam Murtaza, delivered its verdict after a lengthy trial in which Hasina faced multiple charges related to the suppression of student demonstrators.
The three-member tribunal cited detailed evidence, including a phone call, in which it was alleged that Hasina had personally ordered the killing of students participating in protests against the government’s 30% job quota system for children of war veterans.
The protests, which began in 2013, led to the deaths of over 200 individuals and sparked nationwide unrest. Hasina’s government had failed to address the protesters’ demands, instead choosing to escalate the situation using force, including the use of drones, helicopters, and other lethal weapons.
The tribunal’s 453-page ruling concluded that Hasina had violated international human rights laws by directing violent suppression measures and inciting the deaths of protesters. The court also noted that Hasina, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, had evaded arrest and remained fugitives, adding weight to their alleged crimes.
The student protests, which started in 2013 over the controversial job quota system, had initially been peaceful. However, tensions escalated as security forces clamped down hard on the demonstrators, resulting in over 1,400 deaths, according to a United Nations report.
Hasina, who has held office for over 19 years, is known for her firm political stance and actions against political opposition. Her administration previously banned the Jamaat-e-Islami party, a move that was later overturned by the courts during a transitional government.
