Sheikh Hasina
Govt prioritises bringing Hasina back for trial: Shafiqul Alam
Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said bringing Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh and putting her on trial in person is the government's top priority.
“We want to bring her back and put her on trial in person. The people of Bangladesh want to see her trial. Bringing her to justice is our top priority,” he said in response to a question on whether her trial would be held in absentia.
Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Shafiqul Alam said she has been accused of committing crimes against humanity in the recently published UN human rights report.
“A huge pressure is being created (on India to extradite Sheikh Hasina) following the UN report and other reports from some human rights groups,” he said.
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Referring to a recent survey conducted by India Today, the press secretary said 55 percent of Indians support Sheikh Hasina’s extradition to Bangladesh, a certain percentage want her sent to a third country and only 16-17 percent of Indians want she should be allowed to stay in India.
He said Sheikh Hasina had run a brutal dictatorship for 15-16 years, which is clearly outlined in the 127-page UN report. “I think the pressure (on India to extradite her) would increase after this UN report,” he added.
Shafiqul Alam said the government asked India to extradite her and the pressure will continue to exert pressure on the issue. “Our main goal is to bring her to Bangladesh and put her on trial,” he said.
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CA’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar was present at the briefing.
12 hours ago
Two cases against Hasina: ICT seeks probe reports by April 20
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to submit probe reports by April 20 in two cases over the mass killing during the July uprising against Sheikh Hasina and 45 others.
A three-member bench, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after the prosecution submitted a petition seeking more time to complete the investigation, said court’s chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam.
Earlier on 17 December last year, the court issued a warrant for the arrest of former premier Hasina, former minister Obaidul Quader and 44 others in the cases.
The court also ordered the investigation agency to complete the probe and submit a report within two months, which ended today (Tuesday).
The other accused include former ministers Anisul Huq, Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Amir Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam.
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Advocate Tajul Islam hoped that they would be able to submit the probe report within the deadline.
Following the fall of Awami League, at least 60 cases or complaints of enforced disappearances, killings, genocide and crimes against humanity were lodged at the International Crimes Tribunal, accusing Sheikh Hasina, leaders of the Awami League and 14 party alliance and senior officials of different law enforcement agencies.
The allegations brought against the accused include murder and attempt to murder, disappearance, and other crimes.
14 hours ago
BNP urges India to return Hasina for trial over mass killings
Stating that the UN fact-finding report rightly revealed Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in mass killings during the July-August mass uprising, the BNP has demanded that India return her to Bangladesh for prosecution.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the demand at a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting with Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka, James Goldman, on Thursday.
“I would like to thank the UN fact-finding committee for their report, which correctly states that the killings were carried out as per the orders of a particular individual, the fascist Hasina,” he said.
He said the report said the mass killings, all human rights violations, and the destruction of democracy and institutions were carried out by her orders.
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"It has been proven that Hasina is a fascist who has tortured, persecuted and killed the people of this country. We are calling upon the Indian government today to immediately return her (Hasina) and her accomplices to Bangladesh and hand her over to the government for trial. This is our expectation,” Fakhrul said.
He expressed their party’s relief as the truth about the incidents that took place has now been uncovered through the UN report. “The problem is that when the United Nations speaks, we all believe it. But when we, the political parties, say it, many are reluctant to believe. Anyway, I would like to thank the UN team that came here and presented the report.”
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report titled 'Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh' on Friday.
Fakhrul also talked about the issue of enforced disappearances and the "Aynaghar torture cells," saying, it is a fact that the people of Bangladesh have been subjected to enforced disappearances and brutal killings.
"Enforced disappearances and killings are not limited to any particular party. The people of Bangladesh have been made to disappear here (in Aynaghar), and they have been brutally killed... These are the things we have been saying from the very beginning,” he said.
When the report on Aynaghar was released on Al Jazeera, the BNP leader said the Awami League government at the time had completely denied it, claiming that nothing like this was there. “But from the very beginning, these things were taking place."
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He alleged that the Awami League regime used to pick people up and then falsely accuse them of being militants. Many people were repressed in torture cells to extract various confessions about their supposed involvement in militant activities, the BNP leader said.
“Some people were kept in the torture cells to create a fake narrative, using them to stage militant dramas at different times... they showed that militant training was happening in various houses and bombs were being made, all to demonstrate that militants were spreading. But today, it has been proven that the things we said were true,” he said.
Fakhrul said the Awami League government, at that time, deliberately violated human rights in Bangladesh, destroyed democracy, and targeted the opposition simply to remain in power.
5 days ago
Dhanmondi 32 demolition: Rumors still fueling public curiosity
Days after the demolition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at Dhanmondi 32, large crowds continue to gather at the site. The process of dismantling and removing the remaining structures is still ongoing.
At the demolition site, several individuals were seen digging between the two buildings. When asked what they were looking for, one man responded, “We’re checking if anything valuable can be found. Someone already took wires and pipes, so we might find something too.”
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He further added, “Anyone can search if they want. Just as we came here on our own, you’re free to look around as well. No one will stop you.”
Among the visitors was Abdul Mannan, who brought his family along. “I was here on the first day to witness the demolition. Now, I’ve come back with my family to see what remains,” he said.
Another visitor shared, “This is my first time here. I heard about it from others, so I came to see for myself.”
Since the demolition started, rumors have spread—both through word of mouth and social media—that a hidden “Aynaghor” was discovered beneath the house. This has only increased the crowd size, with people eager to witness it firsthand.
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A visit to the site revealed a staircase leading underground, adjacent to the right-side building. The underground structure resembles a two-story basement, with parts of it submerged in water.
Inside the dimly lit space, visitors huddled together, hoping to find the “Aynaghor”. However, many expressed disappointment. “We thought we’d see a hidden chamber, but there’s nothing here. It just looks like a parking area,” one person remarked.
Another visitor added, “I heard that skeletons and other objects were found here. But now, it seems like there was nothing at all.”
The demolition followed an intense backlash after the Awami League announced a speech by Sheikh Hasina last Wednesday. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement reacted strongly, with its convener, Hasnat Abdullah, posting on Facebook: “Allowing Hasina’s speech to be broadcast is equivalent to India waging war against the anti-fascist people of Bangladesh.”
Later that evening, he made another post declaring, “Tonight, Bangladesh will be liberated from the shrine of fascism.”
Dhanmondi 32 residence being demolished with bulldozer
By 8 pm, students and other protesters began gathering at Dhanmondi 32. Around 9 pm, a fire was set on the third floor of the building. At approximately 10:30 pm, a crane arrived at the site, followed by an excavator, marking the beginning of the demolition.
1 week ago
Protesters set fire to Dhanmondi-32 house again
Protesters set fire to Dhanmondi-32 house again at around 12:30 pm today (Thursday) following the demolition of the main building.
The fire quickly spread to the adjacent building on the right, prompting urgent evacuation efforts as the flames continued to engulf the collapsed structure.
Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered beneath the site, chanting slogans such as “Naraye Takbir,” “Chi Chi Hasina, lojjay bachi na,” and “Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka.”
Meanwhile the crowd continued to demolish the remaining parts of the historic house at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka following a night of vandalism and attack on it.
The demolition began at around 11:30pm on Wednesday, nearly two and a half hours after the house was set on fire around 9pm.
Dhanmondi 32 residence being demolished with bulldozer
Witnesses said an angry mob gathered at the site, chanting slogans against the Awami League and its leader deposed ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
A UNB correspondent visiting the scene saw people dismantling parts of the structure and collecting bricks, doors, and windows. Some in the crowd vowed to remain at the site until the house was completely destroyed.
Tensions escalated when two individuals, including a middle aged woman, were reportedly beaten after they chanted "Joy Bangla," the protesters claimed.
1 week ago
Dhanmondi 32 residence being demolished with bulldozer
The Dhanmondi-32 house in Dhaka began to collapse under bulldozer impact late Wednesday night, following a fire set on its third floor earlier that evening.
The demolition began at 11:30 pm on Wednesday (Feb 5), following an arson attack on the third floor at around 9:00 pm.
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Earlier in the night, at approximately 10:30 pm, a crane was brought to the site, followed shortly by a bulldozer. Flames could be seen engulfing part of the building as the crowd watched.
As the crane was positioned, many onlookers climbed onto it, cheering and chanting slogans such as "Tear down Sheikh Mujib's house, raze it to the ground." Some protesters called for the execution of Sheikh Hasina.
1 week ago
Attack on Hasina: HC acquits 9 death row convicts, 38 others
The High Court (HC) has acquitted 47 convicts including nine death row ones in a case filed over attempt to kill former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in Pabna around 30 years back.
An HC bench consisting of Justice Muhammad Mahbub-ul-Islam and Justice Hamidur Rahman passed the order on Wednesday, said Barrister Kaisar Kamal who stood for the defendants at the court.
Earlier on January 30 this year, the court held a hearing on a petition submitted by the convicts and the death reference, and set February 5 to deliver its judgment.
Lawyer Kaisar said a Pabna court sentenced nine people to death, 25 to life term and 13 others to 10 years in jail in 2019 for attack on Sheikh Hasina.
All the convicts were leaders and activists of BNP and the sentences were politically-motivated , he said.
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According to the case statement, a group of BNP men led by leader Jakaria Pintu opened fire targeting Sheikh Hasina to kill her when she was travelling to Saidpur from Khulna by Rupsa Express on September 23, 1994.
Later, the then Ishwardi police station’s Officer-in-Charge Nazrul Islam filed a case in this regard.
The Criminal Investigation Department submitted a chargesheet against 52 accused on April 3 in 1997 after investigating the case.
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Five out of the accused were exempted from the charges as they had died.
On July 3 in 2019, the Pabna court handed down the verdict.
Later, the death references were sent to the HC while the convicts submitted a petition with the court seeking acquittal.
1 week ago
Govt won’t let AL to hold protests unless it apologises: Press Secretary
Awami League will no way be allowed to hold protests unless it apologises for massacres, corruption and separates itself from its current leadership and its fascist ideology, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said.
Shafiqul Alam wrote these on his Facebook wall on Wednesday following media reports over Awami League’s planned protests in February.
Hasina to be brought back, put on trial: Press Secretary
Anyone who dares to hold illegal protests under the AL banner will face action, he wrote.
“Should we allow fascist Awami League to hold protests? The video footage of July and August clearly show the party activists took part in the killings of peaceful protesters who included young students and minor children. The party headed by Sheikh Hasina is responsible for the massacres, murders and mayhem during the July mass uprising,” said the post.
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Since it took over in early August, the interim government has not stopped or banned any lawful protests, said the press secretary.
“The interim government believes in freedom of assembly and freedom of association. One report this morning said at least 136 protests took place alone in Dhaka in the past five and a half months. Some of these protests triggered massive traffic congestion. Yet, the government has never imposed any restrictions on the protests,” Shafiqul mentioned.
The interim government represents the will of Bangladeshi people who will react to the protest by the killers, he added.
“We will not allow any attempts to push the country into violence. Anyone who dares to hold illegal protests under the AL banner will face the full power of the law.”
Yesterday, New York-based Human Rights Watch said, quoting officers interviewed by the reputed rights group, that Hasina directly ordered killings and enforced disappearances during the 16 years of her dictatorship, he added.
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“She has led a Chortantra (Kleptocracy) and murderous regime. Under her watch, 234 billion dollars were siphoned off by her cronies, according to an independent panel. Her family is now being investigated for making billions of dollars from corrupt deals,” Shafiqul wrote.
Besides, 3,500 people were victims of enforced disappearances, 3,000 were victims of extrajudicial killings, and protesters were killed at Shapla Chattar, said the post.
“Police became ‘Police League’, and some six million opposition activists faced false cases. Even the country's first Hindu Chief Justice was brutally beaten, forced to resign and sent into exile,” he added.
2 weeks ago
HRW hands over report to Dr Yunus, says Hasina "directly ordered" enforced disappearances, killings
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has handed over a report on the July Uprising to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, saying officers had told them that ousted Bangladesh dictator Sheikh Hasina "directly ordered enforced disappearances and killings."
A HRW delegation led by Elaine Pearson, Asia Director of the world's most respected human rights group, called on Dr Yunus and praised the interim government for its reform initiatives and the efforts to improve the rights situation in the country.
"We commend the progress you have made so far," the HRW Asia chief said.
Highlighting that establishing rights was the core principle during the July-August Monsoon Revolution, she said Bangladesh's "ordinary people now realise the importance of human rights" in every sphere of life, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
The HRW recommended the disbanding of the Rapid Action Battalion, saying its officers who were responsible for killings and enforced disappearances should be held accountable for their crimes.
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“There needs to be some accountability," she said.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus lauded the efforts of HRW during Sheikh Hasina's dictatorship, saying its reports during the past 16 years unveiled the widespread crimes committed by the regime.
He said the RAB has publicly apologised for its crimes, but the individual officers responsible for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances should "face trials and be punished.".
Pearson said the security forces were "politicised" during Sheikh Hasina's 2009-2024 rule, and they acted like they were ruling "party cadres.".
“It needs systematic reforms,” she said.
Chief Adviser Professor Yunus said, "We are committed to openness and transparency. We are publishing all reform recommendations, allowing the people to decide on the desired reforms. As you have mentioned, undoing 15 years of oppression and crimes will be a challenging endeavour."
According to the HRW report, "Officers involved in enforced disappearances also told Human Rights Watch that Sheikh Hasina or senior government had knowledge of incommunicado detentions, and that, in some cases, Hasina directly ordered enforced disappearances and killings."
The HRW Asia chief said during her visit, she met several chiefs of the reform commissions and the Chief Adviser's High Representative on the Rohingya issues.
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The HRW said the reforms should be cemented and the security forces should come under proper oversight.
The Chief Adviser said that he had called for creating a safe zone for tens of thousands of displaced Rohingyas in their homeland in Rakhine.
He hoped the UN, the international communities, and the main rebel group, the Arakan Army, would guarantee security for the safe zone.
3 weeks ago
Hasina’s trial a priority for interim govt: Shafiqul Alam
The interim government is prioritising the prosecution of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates for their alleged involvement in murders and enforced disappearances, said CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday.
Speaking at the opening of a training programme for agricultural journalists at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in the capital, Alam said some 3,500 people went missing and around 2,000 youths were murdered under Hasina’s administration.
“The process to ensure justice is already underway,” he added.
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Pointing at the media, Alam revealed that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has set two potential timelines for the national elections.
But, he said, finalising the election date will depend on consultations with political parties.
Dismissing rumours of plans to ban the Awami League, he said, “The interim government has no intention to dissolve the party. Political parties themselves must address such matters. However, the Awami League continues to spread false information instead of expressing regret to the nation.”
Macroeconomic Stability
During the session, the press secretary highlighted the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy by tackling inflation and ensuring steady commodity prices.
He attributed the success to increased supply and measures to counteract market syndicates.
Alam also criticised Hasina’s regime for creating food insecurity through falsified production data. “Official reports indicated a surplus in food production, but actual figures on the ground did not match. These falsified records inflated food prices, as traders were aware of the real production levels.”
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Alam pointed out that despite claims of surplus rice production last year, Bangladesh imported 12.5 million tonnes of rice. Drawing historical parallels, he remarked, “In 1974, the nation suffered a severe famine due to the false production claims made during Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership.”
Data Integrity
Alam said the interim government has initiated reforms to ensure the accuracy of economic data. “In the past, inflation and GDP figures were manipulated, creating an imbalance in the economy despite over six per cent growth,” he said.
Alam assured that the publication of accurate data would enable citizens to reap the benefits of a sustainable economy and agriculture.
Responding to questions on public sector pay, Alam noted that salaries for government employees in Bangladesh remain the lowest in South Asia. “A dearness allowance is a logical step to address this issue.”
He said that macroeconomic stability is crucial to reducing income disparity, even amid growing purchasing power.
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The government, he said, remains focused on creating a resilient economy and sustainable agricultural practices to support the nation’s long-term needs.
4 weeks ago