‘Highly inaccurate’: Sheikh Hasina rejects UN report on 2024 Bangladesh protests
The report, titled "Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh," was published on February 12, 2025.
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday handed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina the death penalty, convicting her of multiple counts of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s student-led uprising. The verdict, delivered in a packed Dhaka courtroom and broadcast live across the country, marks the most dramatic chapter yet in Bangladesh’s political upheaval.
Hasina, now 78, was tried in absentia. She fled to New Delhi after her government was toppled on August 5 during the nationwide student revolt.
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What the tribunal said: ‘Hasina ordered killings, drone strikes’
The tribunal read out grave findings on Monday afternoon, directly attributing deadly state action to the former leader.
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In its judgment, as cited by Al Jazeera, the ICT stated:
“Accused prime minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by her incitement order and also failure to take preventive and punitive measures under charge 1.”
It further added:
“Accused Sheikh Hasina committed one count of crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons under charge number 2”.
According to Bangladesh News 24, the tribunal ruled that Hasina “ordered to kill the protesting students” during the July–August unrest that ultimately pushed her government out.
How the verdict unfolded inside the courtroom
Bangladesh Television (BTV) broadcast the proceedings live as Justice Golam Murtaza, head of ICT-1, began reading out the judgment shortly after noon.
The three-member bench – Justice Murtaza, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmud, and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury – arrived at the courtroom at 9:55 am. The proceedings started around midday.
Only one of the three accused, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, was physically present. He was brought to the lock-up at 9 am. Mamun has pleaded guilty and turned state witness.
The two others — Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — were declared fugitives and tried in absentia. Both crossed into India after the fall of Hasina’s regime.
Sentences for the co-accused
The ICT also delivered separate sentencing orders for the two other accused:
- Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (former Home Minister) — Sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
- Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun (former IGP) — Sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Mamun’s cooperation as a state witness makes him the first accused to do so in the ICT’s history since its establishment in 2010.
Background: A massive case spanning 8,747 pages
Earlier case records showed that prosecutors had submitted 8,747 pages of charges, evidence, victim testimonies and exhibits, including allegations that state machinery was misused to crush the 2024 student protests.
Hasina repeatedly denied wrongdoing but never returned to Bangladesh to face trial.
Dhaka under security lockdown
Ahead of the verdict, Dhaka remained under a heavy security clampdown following a shoot-at-sight order issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali to curb arson, cocktail explosions, and attacks on police.
The verdict also coincides with a two-day strike called by Hasina’s Awami League, during which multiple arson incidents were reported.
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