Major political changes taking place in Bangladesh are drawing even greater attention from the international community, reports theguardian.com. An international criminal tribunal, composed of three judges, has begun hearing a case against the country’s former leader Sheikh Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity. The trial includes allegations of violent suppression of mass protests that took place in Bangladesh in August 2024, the use of armed police forces, and shooting at civilians.
According to The Guardian, at least 1,400 people died as a result of these bloody events. Furthermore, the indictment specifically notes that the police were given orders to use force against peaceful demonstrators, up to and including killings. The fact that this case is being heard at the International Criminal Tribunal level underscores the special attention given to it.
It should be noted that 77-year-old Sheikh Hasina fled to India on a military helicopter on August 5, 2024, and is currently not personally participating in the proceedings. She has declared her innocence, but several requests for her extradition to the international court have been ignored. Hasina had been at the helm of the country for more than 15 years, during which time Bangladesh experienced various political and social upheavals.
A day after Hasina left the country, Bangladesh’s President Shahabuddin Chuppu dissolved the parliament in Dhaka. A few days later, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as interim head of government and has remained in this position to this day.
In recent years, protest movements in Bangladesh have led to major political waves. Initially, students protested against the abolition of work quotas for the children of those who fought for the country’s independence; later, protesters began demanding Hasina’s resignation. At the end of July 2024, after the court’s decision to reduce quotas, the protests intensified, and at that time, about 200 people were killed as a result of government crackdowns.
Today, the situation in Bangladesh remains highly relevant in terms of political stability and human rights. The international community is closely monitoring the trial and its outcomes. In the coming weeks, the country is expected to experience events of historic significance.
Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
