Sheikh Hasina sentence to death: Why is India shielding her? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Crimes Against Humanity: Serious violations of human rights, often committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population.
• Student-led Uprising (2024): A period of widespread protests in Bangladesh, initially against government job quotas, which escalated into a nationwide movement due to perceived brutal government crackdown.
• Political Motivation: Actions or decisions taken for political gain or to achieve political objectives, rather than for objective or legal reasons.
• Rigged Tribunal: A court or judicial body that is perceived as unfair, biased, or manipulated to produce a predetermined outcome.
• Extradition: The formal process by which one country surrenders an individual to another country for prosecution or punishment for crimes committed in the requesting country.

Court Verdict and Sentencing

A court in Bangladesh has delivered a guilty verdict and sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. This verdict was reached at the conclusion of a month-long trial. The prosecution had sought the death penalty for Hasina and a former home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan. The trial proceeded in their absence, as both Hasina and Khan have fled Bangladesh.

Hasina was charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the deaths of protesters during a student-led uprising in 2024. The United Nations estimates that approximately 1,400 people were killed during this period.

Evidence and Court's Conclusion

The court stated that it possessed sufficient evidence to warrant the death sentence. The judgment, spanning 453 pages, detailed the allegations against Sheikh Hasina. The court cited strong testimonies from eyewitnesses and doctors regarding the brutal crackdown that occurred during the uprising. The uprising, which began with student protests against government job quotas, escalated into a nationwide movement due to the perceived brutal crackdown by the government, ultimately leading to Sheikh Hasina's downfall.

Public and Political Reactions

Public Response in Bangladesh

The announcement of the verdict was met with significant public interest, with the courtroom and surrounding areas packed. Upon the announcement of the death sentence for crimes against humanity, there were scenes of applause both inside and outside the court.

Beyond the courthouse, reactions varied. Those directly impacted by the crackdown expressed anger over the former government's handling of the protests. The death of 1,400 protesters and thousands injured, with many suffering severe injuries like blindness, has left the country traumatized. One protester, whose brother Mir Muktadir was shot and killed by police, stated that the verdict brought a sense of justice and that "the entire Bangladesh is crying" for justice. While many see this sentencing as a form of closure, supporters of Sheikh Hasina may not be pleased with the decision.

Potential for Unrest

Ahead of the sentencing, there were incidents of crude bomb attacks, explosions, and vehicles being torched, indicating high tensions. While the perpetrators are not definitively identified, security forces suspect supporters of Sheikh Hasina were protesting in anger over the expected judgment. Given that Hasina's party is banned from running in the upcoming elections, political violence is a possibility.

International Reactions and India's Stance

Sheikh Hasina's Reaction

Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, has defied court orders to return to Bangladesh. She has described the tribunal as rigged, biased, and politically motivated. In her words, "in their distasteful call for the death penalty they reveal the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government – to remove Bangladesh's last elected prime minister and to nullify the Awami League as a political force."

India's Position

The Indian government has not yet issued an official reaction. However, the fact that India has allowed Sheikh Hasina to remain in exile for over a year is seen as a significant statement. Hasina's son, Wazed, stated in an interview that India is providing full security to Sheikh Hasina and treating her as a head of state.

The former home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, expressed confidence that India would not take the verdict seriously and trusts India's "good intentions."

India has been vague about its position on Hasina for the past year, but the verdict may compel them to issue an official statement.

India-Bangladesh Relations

The trial and verdict are expected to impact India-Bangladesh relations. Even before the trial, relations were affected by the new interim government in Bangladesh, which has requested Hasina's extradition. India has not complied, despite an extradition treaty between the two countries.

Sheikh Hasina has deep ties with successive Indian governments. Her statements made while in exile have drawn objections from the Bangladeshi government, which summoned the Indian envoy to protest. India responded by stating that Hasina's personal statements should not be conflated with India's official position.

Historical Context

India's dilemma stems from its historical ties with Bangladesh and the Hasina family. In the 1970s, when her father and other family members were executed, Sheikh Hasina and her sister were granted exile by the Indian government. India also played a crucial role in Bangladesh's independence struggle in 1971, led by Sheikh Hasina's father, Mujibur Rahman. This historical context makes India's position on the current situation precarious and will likely influence future relations between the two countries.