Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death Over Protest Crackdown

Published: 18 November 2025 Tuesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity following her role in a violent crackdown on student-led protests that ultimately led to her ousting from power. The verdict, delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, highlighting both the scale of the unrest and the deep political divisions that continue to shape the country.

Hasina, 78, was found guilty of authorizing lethal force against protesters, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people during the unrest in July 2024. The former prime minister was tried in absentia, having been exiled to India following her forced removal from office. Prosecutors accused her of orchestrating hundreds of killings, while Hasina has consistently denied all charges, describing the trial as “biased and politically motivated.”

The months-long tribunal, conducted under Bangladesh’s domestic war crimes court, was widely expected to deliver a guilty verdict, given the scale of documented abuses during the uprising. However, the ruling carries significance beyond Hasina’s personal fate, reflecting the broader struggle for justice for victims of one of the most violent political upheavals in the country’s recent history.

During her 15-year tenure as prime minister, Hasina oversaw notable economic progress and development initiatives. Yet, her administration increasingly faced accusations of suppressing dissent, engaging in politically motivated arrests, disappearances, and extra-judicial killings. The protests that led to her downfall initially began as student demonstrations demanding the abolition of government job quotas but quickly escalated into a nationwide anti-government movement, reflecting widespread anger at perceived authoritarianism.

The tribunal found Hasina guilty on three counts: incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities during the protests. Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder declared, “We have decided to inflict her with only one sentence—that is, sentence of death.” The ruling was met with heightened security measures in Dhaka, as authorities sought to prevent further unrest amid the politically charged environment.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, called the verdict “historic” and “profound” while urging calm, acknowledging that emotions could run high given the scale of the unrest. Since Hasina’s ousting, Yunus has assumed leadership and announced that a parliamentary election is scheduled for February 2026. The interim government also banned Hasina’s Awami League party in May, further complicating the political landscape.

Hasina, in her response, rejected the tribunal’s verdict, stating that the death sentence was a tool used by the interim government to “nullify [her party], the Awami League, as a political force.” In a five-page statement, she expressed pride in her government’s record on human rights and emphasized her willingness to face a fair trial in a properly constituted tribunal where evidence could be objectively weighed. She also announced that her legal team had filed an urgent appeal to the United Nations, raising concerns over fair trial standards and due process.

The protests that led to Hasina’s sentencing saw widespread use of lethal force. UN human rights investigators reported in February 2025 that the deaths of approximately 1,400 protesters could constitute crimes against humanity. Their report detailed multiple instances of point-blank shootings, deliberate maiming, arbitrary arrests, and torture. Leaked audio of one of Hasina’s phone calls, verified by BBC Eye, indicated that she had authorized the use of “lethal weapons” against demonstrators, a recording that was subsequently played in court during the trial.

The verdict has elicited mixed reactions domestically and internationally. Families of the deceased have largely welcomed the decision. Ramjan Ali, whose brother was killed during the protests, called for “exemplary punishment” for Hasina and others responsible for acts of vengeance and abuse of power. Similarly, Lucky Akther, whose husband was killed near Dhaka, expressed a desire for Hasina’s sentence to be carried out before the upcoming elections, suggesting that only then would families of victims find closure.

Conversely, international human rights bodies have expressed concern over the use of the death penalty. The UN Human Rights Office described the sentencing as “an important moment for victims” but regretted the imposition of capital punishment, noting that it opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. Human rights activists in Bangladesh, including Dhaka-based Shireen Huq, have argued that while accountability for Hasina is necessary, the death sentence does not bring closure for survivors and families, particularly for those who sustained life-altering injuries during the crackdown. “We work with several people who lost their limbs forever; they are amputees now due to the crackdown,” she said. “They will never be able to forgive her, and the death penalty does not change that reality.”

The ruling also presents a diplomatic challenge for India, where Hasina has been exiled. Dhaka has formally requested her extradition, but the Indian government has so far shown no willingness to comply, making it unlikely that the death sentence will be enforced. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between the two neighbouring countries, particularly as the region braces for further political uncertainty ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming elections.

Sheikh Hasina’s state-appointed lawyer, Mohammad Amir Hossain, expressed deep disappointment with the verdict, stating, “I even cannot appeal because my client is absent; that’s why I am sad.” He reiterated that Hasina has repeatedly challenged the interim government to bring charges before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, emphasizing the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the trial’s legitimacy.

The tribunal also tried Hasina alongside her former home minister and police chief, further illustrating the breadth of accountability measures pursued by the interim government. While the sentence may provide some closure for families of victims, analysts warn that it may do little to heal Bangladesh’s deep political divisions. David Bergman, a long-time Bangladesh observer, noted that the nature of the conviction could make it difficult for the Awami League to re-enter the political mainstream unless there is an official apology or distancing from Hasina and her former leadership.

Security in Dhaka was tightened ahead of the verdict, with multiple rallies staged by Hasina’s critics. The city has recently experienced a spike in unrest, including dozens of bomb explosions and acts of arson in the days leading up to the court’s decision. At least one bomb was reported on the morning the verdict was delivered, although no casualties were reported, according to local police official Jisanul Haque.

Political commentators warn that the death sentence, while significant, may not fully resolve lingering tensions in Bangladesh. The anger against Hasina and the Awami League remains pervasive, compounded by years of political repression, corruption allegations, and widespread abuses during her tenure. Shireen Huq highlighted that the party’s lack of remorse or acknowledgment of past wrongdoings continues to polarize public opinion, making reconciliation difficult.

The interim government faces the dual challenge of maintaining law and order while preparing for parliamentary elections in February 2026. The ban on the Awami League has already raised concerns about the inclusiveness and legitimacy of the upcoming vote, with Hasina warning that millions could boycott the election if her party is prohibited from fielding candidates.

The death sentence for Sheikh Hasina underscores the broader struggle in Bangladesh to balance justice, accountability, and political stability. While victims’ families may view the verdict as a form of reparation, it is unlikely to fully heal the wounds left by last year’s unrest or to resolve the deep political schisms that have plagued the country for decades. As Bangladesh moves forward, the international community will be closely watching how Dhaka manages the legal, political, and diplomatic consequences of this landmark ruling.

This news has been carefully compiled from verified social media sources, international and UK-based news outlets, and cross-checked with detailed online data. It is presented with professionalism, impartiality, and a human-centred narrative, providing readers with an engaging, in-depth account of the trial, verdict, and its broader implications for Bangladesh’s political and social landscape.