Hasina Conviction a “Political Farce” and “Miscarriage of Justice”, Says Rights Group

The conviction of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal—both sentenced to death—and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, is a “political farce” that fails to meet basic international fair-trial standards, the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) said today.

Calling the verdict a “miscarriage of justice” for the victims, RRAG asserted that the trial process was fundamentally flawed and driven by political motivations rather than evidence.

“The trial of Sheikh Hasina in absentia violates basic international human rights standards on fair trial,” said Suhas Chakma, Director of RRAG. “The Interim Government of Bangladesh did not pursue Hasina’s extradition from India. If Bangladesh had any evidence, it could have approached the Supreme Court of India, just as India fought for the extradition of Abu Salem from Portugal and is currently contesting the extradition of Mehul Choksi in Belgium. Bangladesh avoided this route because it has no evidence, and instead chose to sentence Hasina and her colleagues through a Kangaroo Court trial.”

Chakma further questioned the framing of charges against Hasina in connection with the murders of Abu Sayed near Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, six unarmed protesters in Dhaka’s Chankharpul, and six students at Ashulia last year.

“How could Prime Minister Hasina be charged when the actual perpetrators of these crimes have not even been named in the chargesheet?” he asked. “Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun cannot serve as an approver for these crimes, as he was not present at any of the crime scenes.”

During the verdict’s pronouncement, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal reportedly cited reports from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Human Rights Watch, and the BBC as evidence.

Chakma strongly criticised this approach: “Reports by OHCHR, HRW or the BBC cannot be treated as evidence unless their representatives testify and provide corroborative material. This is especially crucial in a case involving the death penalty. No such testimonies or cross-examinations took place during the trial.”

He added that the verdict also fails the victims of the incidents in question.
“The real perpetrators are not being punished. This trial is not just a violation of fair-trial norms—it is also a miscarriage of justice for the victims.”

Also Read: Bangladesh Tribunal Sentences Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina to Death for Crimes Against Humanity