Human Rights Watch (HRW) has shown serious concerns over the fairness of the trial in which Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) found former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal guilty of crimes against humanity.
Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at HRW, stated, "While there is enduring anger in Bangladesh over Hasina's repressive rule, it is essential that all criminal proceedings adhere to international fair trial standards."
She added, "Those responsible for the horrific abuses under her administration must be held to account, but only after impartial investigations and credible trials."
''Both were prosecuted in absentia, not represented by counsel of their choosing, and sentenced to death, raising serious human rights concerns,” the HRW said in a news release on November 17.
The HRW came up with the statement after the International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh on Monday (November 17) sentenced Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former home minister, to death for crimes against humanity during the violent suppression of student-led protests in 2024.
The Bangladeshi authorities committed serious human rights violations during the three weeks of protests in July and August 2024 that toppled the Hasina government.
While those responsible for abuses should be appropriately held to account, the prosecution failed to meet international fair trial standards, including for a full opportunity to present a defense and question the witnesses against them, and the right to be represented by counsel of one's choosing. Concerns over the fairness of the trial are exacerbated by the death sentences, the New York-based rights organisations said.
The rights organisation alleged the International Crimes Tribunal proceedings during Hasina's rule repeatedly failed to meet international fair trial standards and imposed the death penalty. Human Rights Watch opposes the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty.
The HRW urged the government to respond to any demonstrations in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Awami League leaders should discourage violence by party supporters opposing the tribunal verdict, it said.
"Victims of the grave violations under the Hasina government deserve justice and reparations, but this must be delivered through proceedings that are genuinely independent and fair," Ganguly concluded. "A crucial part of ensuring justice is protecting the rights of the accused, which includes abolishing the death penalty, an inherently cruel and irreversible punishment."
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