The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka has officially opened proceedings against Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, accusing her of crimes against humanity during her 15-year political rule. Rezaur Rahman Lenin, a Bangladeshi academic and human rights activist, shared details in an exclusive interview, shedding light on the widespread and systematic violations allegedly committed under Hasina’s leadership. The trial comes at a time of heightened public anticipation, though Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in India.
The charges against her include extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and financial corruption. According to Lenin, the tribunal has collected a staggering 8 747-page charge sheet detailing “systematic and widespread” crimes under both national and international law. In addition to Hasina, high-ranking figures such as the Inspector General of Police, Home Ministers, and other state officials are also named in the case.
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Why the Trial Matters Now
Lenin asserts that the trial is not just a legal moment for Bangladesh, but a turning point for global justice. He says, “First of all, all the crime committed against the people of Bangladesh by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—there is evidential value to it. The evidence is well connected and well collected by the International Crimes Tribunal.”
The crackdown on protestors in 2024 is a core part of the case. Over a 36-day period, more than 1,500 civilians were killed and tens of thousands were injured or disappeared. These events, according to Lenin, have created a “very bad precedent globally,” particularly considering Hasina’s own past role in forming the tribunal to prosecute war crimes from the 1971 independence war.
In an ironic twist, a mechanism meant to bring justice to victims of past genocide is now prosecuting the very leader who once championed it. “As a genocide survivor, as a crime against humanity survivor, you are doing similar forms of crimes to your own people,” Lenin said. “This is very unfortunate.”
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How Exile and Law Collide
Currently, Sheikh Hasina resides in India, a country with which Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty over 15 years ago. Lenin believes this may not protect her forever. “Universal jurisdictions are still applicable in 140 plus countries. I don’t think she can hide anywhere until her death.”
Lenin also explained that if Hasina does not return voluntarily, the trial will proceed in absentia. However, he hopes she returns to face the charges. “If she is innocent, I would like to request her to return back to Bangladesh and face the trial with the people who have supported her. They are still inside the country.”
Despite concerns over political motivations, the tribunal’s legal framework is detailed and robust. Human rights activists, lawyers, and international observers are closely watching the process. The trial is scheduled to begin shortly after the Eid festival, and a defense lawyer is set to be appointed to ensure Hasina receives a fair trial.
For many in Bangladesh, this trial represents more than a legal reckoning. It signals a potential shift toward accountability, justice, and healing after years of silence and fear.
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Image: Deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Credit: Council on Foreign Relations
