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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
With charges against Sheikh Hasina, ICT in Bangladesh has come full circle
Written by Sreeradha Datta It is an ironic twist of fate to see the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), formed in 1973 and revived by Sheikh Hasina herself to try those who had committed crimes during the Liberation War of 1971, now poised to indict her. Hasina, the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh, is being held accountable for the alleged crimes committed during her last tenure, specifically during the students' anti-quota uprising that led to her overthrow. Earlier this May, investigators submitted their report on the July–August 2024 killings, naming her as the one who issued the orders for the security forces to open fire on the protesters. To recall briefly, Sheikh Hasina took office in January 2009 with a huge mandate. To consolidate power, she ushered in amendments, including the abolition of the caretaker government (CTG) system in 2011 — a system unique to Bangladesh, which had served well in assisting the Election Commission to hold free and fair elections. Ironically, it was Hasina who had insisted on legally introducing the CTG in 1996. While she believed Bangladesh was ready to hold elections without a CTG, the opposition disagreed. Hasina then went on to use the Digital Security Act to silence any dissenting voices. The government's impunity was exemplified by elections marred by allegations of rigging, and the use of state apparatus to undermine the autonomy and independence of institutions, enabling a coterie that wielded disproportionate influence over policymaking. During the July–August uprising, security forces initiated a brutal crackdown on protesters. In the face of growing public anger and the Army's inability to guarantee her safety, she fled to India, where she continues to reside, reassuring her supporters of her return in glory to her homeland. Within days of Hasina's escape, the Interim Government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over, promising to bring the accused to justice. The ICT, which has previously executed four Jamaat leaders and a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, will now hear the five charges filed against Hasina. A three-judge tribunal — comprising Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood, and Mohammad Mohitul Haque Anam Chawdhury — will be hearing the charges. Two others charged are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and the then IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The latter is in police custody, while Hasina and Khan remain outside the country. This is the first time Hasina has been formally charged by the ICT in connection with the crackdown that took place during the July-August protests. She has also been accused of running secret detention centres. The Interim Government has further alleged that she orchestrated the disappearance of more than 3,500 people. A report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the excesses that occurred under her watch. The report also reiterated that up to 13 per cent of those killed during the uprising were children. Hasina will be tried on five specific charges, including the killing of unarmed protester Abu Sayed at close range, shot in the chest without provocation. The next hearing is scheduled for June 16. Whether physically in Bangladesh or tried in absentia, Hasina will be prosecuted under the ICT Act of 1973. Bangladesh has already requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. There will now be a renewed attempt at a higher diplomatic level. However, the likelihood of India agreeing to extradite Hasina is low. Although a bilateral extradition treaty exists, the caveats are significant. From the Indian perspective, Hasina's trial, given the prevailing political atmosphere in Bangladesh, is unlikely to be free and fair. Apart from the ICT, requesting the involvement of the International Criminal Court is also an option for Dhaka. The writer is Professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O P Jindal Global University, and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore
Times of Oman
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"Question about Yunus resigning was complete drama to divert attention," says former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh
New Delhi: Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri on Sunday claimed that the speculation about Bangladesh interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus resigning was "complete drama" to distract from the statement of Bangladesh Army chief about conducting elections. "The question about Muhammad Yunus resigning was a complete drama. He had no intention of resigning at all, and in fact, he never said himself that he would resign," the former High Commissioner told ANI. Saying that on May 21, Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman had held discussions with other army officers in which they insisted on conducting elections at the end of 2025. "It was just a drama meant to divert attention away from what the army chief and all the army officers had said to him. On the 21st of May, the army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman had invited all the army officers and the discussion was held with all the army officers and then he came out with five points and in those five points there was one very clear point that the army is insisting that elections must be held in Bangladesh by the end of this year," she said. She said that earlier, after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, it was the Army General who agreed that Yunus could be sworn in as head chief advisor, but the interim government has no authority to do reform. "This is only an interim government and not even a caretaker government. They have no authority to do reform, do they have authority to change the constitution, they have no such authority," she said. Earlier on May 24, Yunus quashed all rumours about his resignation or leaving the country, as an unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council was held on Saturday, after the National Economic Council meeting. The meeting discussed the three primary responsibilities--elections, reforms, and justice--assigned to the interim government. "The interim government will listen to the statements of political parties in this regard and clarify the government's position," the Advisory Council said in a statement after the meeting. The meeting was held at the Planning Commission in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area of the capital under the chairmanship of Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus. The meeting discussed in detail how the normal working environment is being disrupted and doubts and suspicions are being created in the public mind by making various unreasonable demands, motivated and extra-judicial statements and programs in the discharge of these responsibilities, the statement said. "The Advisory Council believes that greater unity is needed to keep the country stable, advance the election, justice and reform work and permanently prevent the arrival of dictatorship in this country," it added. The statement said that the interim government will listen to the statements of political parties in this regard and clarify the government's position. Several political parties, including Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been demanding parliamentary elections by December. However, the National Citizens Party (NCP), a new party led by students who led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, wants fundamental reforms before the elections. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is allegedly supporting the NCP. The BNP activists have taken up a protest in front of Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Adviser, in Dhaka, demanding the removal of two student advisers from the interim government's cabinet.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pushed into corner, Bangladesh's Yunus cites 'foreign conspiracy' behind poor governance
Dhaka: Confronting a major political crisis after a chaotic last few months, the interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus on Saturday blamed "defeated forces" and "foreign conspiracy" for obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public. Yunus chaired a two-hour long unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council at the Planning Commission office in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon amid increasing political tensions and growing speculation over the stability and continuity of the interim government which had also reportedly led to him offering resignation from the post of Chief Advisor. "Despite all obstacles, the Interim Government continues to fulfil its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. However, if — under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy — the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people," read a statement issued by the Advisory Council after the meeting. "The Council discussed how unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programmes have been continuously obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public," the statement detailed. The meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council included detailed discussions on three primary responsibilities entrusted to the interim government – elections, reforms, and justice. "The Advisory Council believes that a broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organise a free and fair elections, justice, and reform, and permanently prevent the return of authoritarianism in the country. On this matter, the Interim Government will listen to the views of political parties and clarify its own position," it added. Several political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and even the newly-formed National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday demanded that the interim government announce a clear roadmap for upcoming national elections. As pressure increased on Yunus, he had also expressed his desire to resign out of frustration - a development that had created a huge buzz in political circles across the country. "The Interim Government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising. But if the government's autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable, it will, with the people, take the necessary steps," the statement issued by the Advisory Council added. Speaking to local media after the meeting, Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud stated that the interim government would not quit until completing its assigned responsibilities. "We are not going anywhere till our job is done. The future of the country for many years will depend on it. We cannot leave this responsibility," he added. In a separate development, BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders stated that they will hold meetings with Yunus at his official residence Jamuna, on Saturday evening, a development which has been confirmed by the Chief Advisor's press wing. Reports suggest that the meetings are being conducted as part of Yunus's efforts to defuse political tensions. 'We have been invited by the Chief Advisor's office to hold a meeting over the latest political situation,' Bangladeshi media outlet UNB quoted a BNP standing committee member as saying. The BNP leader further said that they would request Yunus to announce a roadmap for the election within 2025, and complete the reform process as soon as possible. Protests, political uncertainty and increasing incidents of crime and violence have gripped Bangladesh since the Yunus-led interim government assumed power, last August. Parties like the BNP had repeatedly been warning of street protests if the interim government fails to provide an electoral road map. Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman also stated that the next national election should be held by December and an elected government should be in power by January 1, 2026 after concluding "free and fair" polls.
India.com
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pushed Into Corner, Bangladeshs Yunus Cites Foreign Conspiracy Behind Poor Governance
Confronting a major political crisis after a chaotic last few months, the interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus on Saturday blamed "defeated forces" and "foreign conspiracy" for obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public. Yunus chaired a two-hour long unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council at the Planning Commission office in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon amid increasing political tensions and growing speculation over the stability and continuity of the interim government which had also reportedly led to him offering resignation from the post of Chief Advisor. "Despite all obstacles, the Interim Government continues to fulfil its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. However, if — under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy — the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people," read a statement issued by the Advisory Council after the meeting. "The Council discussed how unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programmes have been continuously obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public," the statement detailed. The meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council included detailed discussions on three primary responsibilities entrusted to the interim government – elections, reforms, and justice. "The Advisory Council believes that a broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organise a free and fair elections, justice, and reform, and permanently prevent the return of authoritarianism in the country. On this matter, the Interim Government will listen to the views of political parties and clarify its own position," it added. Several political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and even the newly-formed National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday demanded that the interim government announce a clear roadmap for upcoming national elections. As pressure increased on Yunus, he had also expressed his desire to resign out of frustration - a development that had created a huge buzz in political circles across the country. "The Interim Government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising. But if the government's autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable, it will, with the people, take the necessary steps," the statement issued by the Advisory Council added. Speaking to local media after the meeting, Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud stated that the interim government would not quit until completing its assigned responsibilities. "We are not going anywhere till our job is done. The future of the country for many years will depend on it. We cannot leave this responsibility," he added. In a separate development, BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders stated that they will hold meetings with Yunus at his official residence Jamuna, on Saturday evening, a development which has been confirmed by the Chief Advisor's press wing. Reports suggest that the meetings are being conducted as part of Yunus's efforts to defuse political tensions. 'We have been invited by the Chief Advisor's office to hold a meeting over the latest political situation,' Bangladeshi media outlet UNB quoted a BNP standing committee member as saying. The BNP leader further said that they would request Yunus to announce a roadmap for the election within 2025, and complete the reform process as soon as possible. Protests, political uncertainty and increasing incidents of crime and violence have gripped Bangladesh since the Yunus-led interim government assumed power, last August. Parties like the BNP had repeatedly been warning of street protests if the interim government fails to provide an electoral road map. Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman also stated that the next national election should be held by December and an elected government should be in power by January 1, 2026 after concluding "free and fair" polls.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Bangladesh's interim government strips former ruling party of registration, barring it from polls
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh's Election Commission has cancelled the registration of the former ruling party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , preventing it from participating in the next national election, which is expected to be held by June next year. The decision on Monday came hours after the country's interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus issued an official notification banning the Awami League party and its affiliated bodies from conducting activities online and elsewhere.
