Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule came to a sudden end as protesters stormed her palace in Dhaka. Her tenure was marked by an economic rebirth but also by the mass arrest of political opponents and human rights sanctions. The protests began with rallies against civil service job quotas but escalated into deadly unrest calling for her resignation.
Hasina’s autocratic style of governance led to accusations of rights abuses, including the murder of opposition activists. Despite overseeing rapid economic growth, around 18 million young Bangladeshis remain unemployed. Hasina, the daughter of a revolutionary, was forced into politics after the assassination of her father.
Although praised for economic progress and a crackdown on Islamist militants, Hasina faced criticism for silencing dissent. The United States imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s security forces over human rights abuses. Hasina defended her actions amid mounting protests, citing her efforts in rebuilding the country.