Sheikh Hasina’s Death Sentence Shocks Bangladesh and the World

Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka after being found guilty of crimes against humanity for her role in the deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising in July and August of 2024. This historic and controversial decision marks a dramatic turn in the political landscape of Bangladesh and provokes debate both within the country and internationally, given Hasina’s longstanding leadership and the nature of the allegations against her.

The Charges and Trial

Sheikh Hasina, who led Bangladesh for over 15 years as the head of the Awami League, was tried in absentia after fleeing to India on August 5, 2024, amidst violent mass uprisings. The tribunal charged her with ordering and overseeing a brutal suppression of student demonstrations that erupted across Dhaka and other cities. These protests, sparked by accusations of government corruption and electoral manipulation, escalated into widespread unrest, ultimately leading to the toppling of Sheikh Hasina’s government.​

The charges included:

• Directly ordering the use of lethal force, including the deployment of drones, helicopters, and live ammunition against protestors.
• Systematically denying medical treatment to wounded demonstrators, sometimes admitting victims under fake names to conceal injuries.
• Coercing medical professionals to alter post-mortem reports to downplay evidence of state violence.
• Failing to prevent or halt abuses committed under her authority as the principal commander-in-chief.​

The Verdict

On November 17, 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal delivered its highly anticipated verdict. In a packed Dhaka courtroom broadcast live nationwide, Sheikh Hasina was found guilty on three separate counts of crimes against humanity. Each count meticulously described the actions, or calculated inaction, that led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries among Bangladesh’s youth, during what the UN now refers to as the “July Uprising.” Reports indicate up to 1,400 fatalities, with thousands more wounded.​

The tribunal also sentenced former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who remains at large, to death in absentia. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who cooperated with prosecutors, received a lighter sentence after turning state’s witness. The court further ordered the confiscation of Hasina’s assets, which will be used to compensate victims and their families.​

Reaction Inside Bangladesh

The verdict has shattered the political status quo. Scenes of jubilation and sorrow played out in front of the court; some hailed the outcome as overdue justice for slain students, while others denounced it as a politically motivated move by an unelected interim regime. The prosecution called the sentence a “victory for patriots, martyrs, and all citizens,” reinforcing the government’s framing of the crackdown as an atrocity that must never be repeated.​

Lawyers, victims’ families, and current officials stress that the trial marks a landmark for accountability, yet critics warn it could undermine the country’s fragile democracy, especially if it is perceived as driven by revenge against the Awami League, rather than adherence to due process.​

Sheikh Hasina’s Defence and International Responses

From exile in India, Sheikh Hasina released a statement denouncing the process as “biased and politically motivated,” casting the tribunal as a tool for her enemies to permanently eliminate her, as well as the Awami League as a political force. She argued that the court had no democratic mandate and stated that her conviction was based on evidence that had been fabricated or misrepresented by her adversaries.​

International reactions remain mixed. Human rights organisations have called for a thorough scrutiny of the proceedings, raising concerns about fairness, transparency, and Bangladesh’s recent track record on political freedoms. Some foreign governments have called for calm and restraint, while others have congratulated Bangladesh’s authorities for pursuing justice in the face of impunity.​

The Path Forward: Legal and Political Implications

Sheikh Hasina and her co-accused have the right to appeal the verdict within 30 days, but only if they appear before Bangladesh’s highest court in person, which is unlikely while Sheikh Hasina remains in India. Bangladeshi officials have declared their intent to use extradition treaties or even appeal to Interpol to compel Hasina’s return and execution of the sentence.​

Meanwhile, the interim government has deployed additional military and security forces in major cities, anticipating unrest and counter-protests from both sides of the verdict.​

Global Context and Historical Significance

Sheikh Hasina’s sentencing sets a precedent in South Asian politics, demonstrating the power and risks of international criminal justice mechanisms. She is the first former Bangladeshi head of government to receive the death penalty since the country’s turbulent birth in 1971. Supporters compare the tribunal’s work to precedents set elsewhere for crimes against humanity, while detractors see it as a cautionary tale about the politicisation of justice.​

Timeline of Key Events