In a landmark ruling, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, holding her accountable for masterminding a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising in 2024 that resulted in over 1,400 deaths. The 78-year-old leader, who fled to India after being ousted in August 2024, was tried and convicted in absentia, marking a dramatic fall from power for the long-time autocrat who ruled for 15 years. The verdict, delivered on November 17, 2025, has ignited global discussions on accountability, political retribution, and the future of Bangladesh's fragile democracy.The case stems from the July-August 2024 student-led protests, initially sparked by opposition to a controversial job quota system but escalating into a nationwide movement against Hasina's increasingly authoritarian rule. What began as peaceful demonstrations turned deadly when security forces, allegedly under Hasina's direct orders, deployed lethal force, including live ammunition, helicopters, and UN-marked vehicles, leading to widespread killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. A UN report estimated up to 1,400 fatalities, with thousands more injured or detained during the 36-day crackdown.
Hasina and several top aides, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-Inspector General of Police Abdullah Al-Mamun, faced charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. The tribunal found her guilty of orchestrating the violence to suppress the uprising, which ultimately forced her resignation and exile. Only Al-Mamun was present in court; Hasina and Kamal remain in hiding.he months-long trial at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka drew intense scrutiny, with proceedings broadcast on large screens across the capital for public viewing. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hasina's direct involvement in ordering the use of excessive force, while her defense argued the charges were politically motivated. The unanimous guilty verdict emphasized her failure to prevent mass killings and her role in the systematic suppression of dissent.
This is not Hasina's only legal battle; she faces over 200 additional cases, including murder and corruption charges, since her ouster. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has pursued extradition efforts from India, though diplomatic tensions complicate the process.Hasina, from her exile in India, condemned the verdict as "biased and politically motivated," labeling it a product of a "kangaroo court" under the Yunus administration. Her family echoed these sentiments, warning of potential death penalty implications and criticizing the trial's fairness. Supporters of the Awami League have decried the ruling as revenge politics, while protesters and victims' families hailed it as a step toward justice.
On social media, reactions poured in swiftly. Users highlighted the irony of Hasina's downfall, with some drawing parallels to global accountability for leaders accused of human rights abuses. Violence erupted in parts of Bangladesh post-verdict, including attempts to demolish Hasina's residence by the Yunus government. International observers, including the UN, have called for transparent enforcement while monitoring potential escalations.This conviction signals a reckoning for authoritarianism in South Asia, potentially influencing similar movements elsewhere. For Bangladesh, it could stabilize the interim government but risks deepening divisions between Hasina's loyalists and reform advocates. As extradition talks loom, India faces a diplomatic tightrope, balancing ties with Dhaka against harboring a convicted leader.
The ruling underscores the power of youth-led activism, transforming student grievances into a force that toppled a regime. As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent chapter, the world watches whether justice will foster healing or fuel further unrest.