Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina faces a trial for her role in human rights abuses during her 15-year rule, including the mass detention and killings of political opponents. Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam hailed it as a “remarkable day,” while relatives of victims expressed hope for justice.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) ordered Hasina’s arrest, along with others involved in crimes against humanity. Dozens of her allies have already been detained, and her whereabouts remain unknown since fleeing to India.
Her presence in India has strained relations with Bangladesh, with calls for her extradition to face trial. The court, marred by criticism for being a tool to eliminate political opponents, is now focusing on cases involving Hasina’s alleged involvement in mass murders.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, aims to restore democratic institutions in the country. Family members of victims are hopeful for a fair trial and accountability for the atrocities committed under Hasina’s rule.
Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam called it a “remarkable day,” while a relative of one of the hundreds who died in the uprising against her autocratic rule said they were “looking forward” to the trial.
Hasina’s 15-year rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.
“The court has… ordered the arrest of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and to produce her in court on November 18,” Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), told reporters.
“Sheikh Hasina was at the helm of those who committed massacres, killings and crimes against humanity in July to August,” Islam said.
The court also issued an arrest warrant for Obaidul Quader, the fugitive former general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League party, as well as 44 others, who were not named.
Dozens of Hasina’s allies were taken into custody after her regime collapsed, accused of culpability in a police crackdown that killed more than 700 people during the unrest that deposed her.
Former cabinet ministers and other senior members of her Awami League party have been arrested, and her government’s appointees were purged from courts and the central bank.
Hasina, however, has not been seen in public since fleeing Bangladesh by helicopter.
The 77-year-old’s last official whereabouts are a military air base near India’s capital New Delhi.
Her presence in India — her former biggest benefactor — has infuriated the new interim government in Bangladesh.
Dhaka has revoked her diplomatic passport, and the countries have a bilateral extradition treaty which would permit her return to face criminal trial.
A clause in the treaty, however, says extradition might be refused if the offense is of a “political character.”
Among those in court were family members of Sajib Sarkar, a medic killed in July during the protests against Hasina.
“We want the government to take the initiative to bring back the former prime minister as soon as possible and hold her accountable,” his sister, Sumaiya Sarkar, told AFP. “We are looking forward to a fair trial.”
The ICT is a deeply contentious war crimes court Hasina’s government set up in 2010 to probe atrocities during the 1971 independence war from Pakistan.
The United Nations and rights groups criticized its procedural shortcomings, and it became widely seen as a means for Hasina to eliminate political opponents.
Several cases accusing Hasina of orchestrating the “mass murder” of protesters are being probed by the court.
Hasina was replaced by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
The 84-year-old microfinance pioneer is leading a temporary administration, to tackle what he has called the “extremely tough” challenge of restoring democratic institutions.
Yunus said he had inherited a “completely broken down” system of public administration and justice that needs a comprehensive overhaul to prevent a future return to autocracy.
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