Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia on Thursday after a court in Dhaka found her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising. The verdict marks the most dramatic turn in the country’s political upheaval since Hasina was removed from power and fled abroad amid escalating protests. The ruling has triggered sharp reactions across Bangladesh, raising fears of renewed unrest in a nation already grappling with deep political and social fractures.
A landmark verdict following months of turmoil
The special tribunal delivered its judgment after months of hearings examining the state response to widespread student demonstrations that began as protests over economic hardship before escalating into a nationwide movement against Hasina’s administration. Prosecutors argued that security forces acted under direct political orders when they used lethal force, resulting in significant casualties and mass detentions. The court concluded that the actions amounted to crimes against humanity, holding the former leader personally responsible.
Hasina abroad and unlikely to return
Sheikh Hasina has been living outside Bangladesh since being forced from office, and her legal representatives have rejected the charges as politically motivated. The former prime minister has long been a polarising figure, credited by supporters with economic modernisation but criticised by opponents for authoritarian governance, suppression of dissent, and the politicisation of state institutions. Thursday’s ruling makes any prospect of her returning home increasingly remote and raises questions about the future of the Awami League, the party she dominated for decades.
Government seeks to project authority amid uncertainty
Bangladesh’s interim administration, installed after the collapse of Hasina’s government, welcomed the verdict as an essential step toward accountability. Officials argued that the ruling demonstrates a commitment to justice and recognition of the scale of the violence that marked the final months of Hasina’s leadership. Yet analysts warn that the state must now navigate a fragile landscape in which sections of the population—particularly within Hasina’s political strongholds—may view the decision as retribution rather than impartial justice.
Human rights groups urge careful oversight
International rights organisations responded cautiously, acknowledging the need for accountability while urging Bangladesh to ensure transparency, due process, and protections against politically driven prosecutions. Concerns have been raised about whether the current legal framework is equipped to handle such high-profile cases without exacerbating existing tensions. Several foreign governments are expected to issue formal reactions in the coming days as they assess the implications for regional stability.
A nation bracing for the next phase of crisis
The sentencing of a former prime minister to death is unprecedented in Bangladesh’s recent history and places the country at a crossroads. While the ruling may appease parts of the population seeking justice for last year’s violence, it also risks deepening political divides and provoking unrest. The interim government faces the challenge of maintaining order, advancing institutional reforms, and preparing the country for a credible electoral process under intense international scrutiny.
Newshub Editorial in Asia – 27 November 2025
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