Nearly two years after being forced from power and taking refuge abroad, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared her intention to return home within the current year, adopting a resolute stance against a death sentence handed down against her.
In a recent interview, Hasina described the ruling by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal as lacking legitimacy. She maintained that the judgment formed part of a politically driven effort to weaken her party, the Awami League, by rendering it without effective leadership. Hasina asserted that similar attempts in the past had failed and would do so again.
The tribunal convicted Hasina in November of the previous year on charges of crimes against humanity. It held her accountable for ordering, encouraging, and failing to stop a severe crackdown on student-led protests that erupted in July 2024. According to United Nations estimates, the unrest resulted in as many as 1,400 deaths. The court cited multiple specific allegations, including the use of drones, helicopters, and lethal force against civilian demonstrators, particularly in the Dhaka area.
Hasina expressed no fear of death, drawing on her personal history of loss. She recalled the 1975 assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader, along with other family members. She also referenced a grenade attack on her life on August 21 and various other alleged conspiracies. Despite these challenges, she emphasized her deep connection to the Bangladeshi people and the Awami League.
ALSO READ : India Resumes Tourist Visa Services for Bangladesh as New Envoy Dinesh Trivedi Assumes Office in Dhaka
“I do not fear death,” she stated. “In 1975, I lost my parents, my brothers, and almost my entire family. Many conspiracies have been hatched against me. But breaking through every obstacle, I stood beside the people of Bangladesh. I was elected Prime Minister five times by the people’s vote and contributed to the country’s development. My life has been linked to the people, to the democratic struggle, and to Bangladesh’s progress. I will return to my country this year.”
Hasina has consistently rejected the tribunal’s decision through party channels, characterizing it as biased and motivated by an unelected interim administration. Her announcement signals potential renewed political turbulence in Bangladesh as the nation continues to navigate the aftermath of the 2024 upheaval.