Sheikh Hasina responds to uprising, ICT verdict, corruption & extradition

Recently, the world saw so many things happen in South Asia in quick succession. From uprisings to protests, all against governments. It is an uncanny truth what went wrong and what is unfolding, and why so many fail to even see all that coming until it explodes.

Sample this: Bangladesh achieved an average GDP growth of 6.29% annually over the past 15 years under Sheikh Hasina’s government. Widely noted, per capita income rose from $698 in 2009 to $2,500 in 2023, even surpassing India in the region.

Despite this, why was there such a mass uprising against Sheikh Hasina? Despite her success, reports also point out political corruption over the years for such protests, alongside the “external hand” to destabilise Bangladesh.

So, I get to the heart of the matter and speak with former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Post the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)’s verdict, questions were raised that were never asked before and never clarified. Sheikh Hasina addresses the historic good and bad.

Since being forced from power and from her secret refuge in New Delhi, concerns are raised about the fairness of the trial and the circumstances that led to the verdict. Any extradition request is firmly rejected, with the assertion that it “should be dealt with through proper legal procedures and not used as a tool of diplomatic or political pressure.”

On “external elements”, the claim is that “certainly there is some concerning evidence that foreign mercenaries may have been active in Dhaka during the worst days of the violence.” Hasina also responded to whether Bangladesh is getting radicalised at a fast pace.

At the same time, when concerns about corruption and misuse of government finance of an estimated $234 billion were put forward, the scale of corruption was denied.

But what about the reports which say many thousands died during the protests? Most importantly, the question was raised whether there is a search for some sort of moral acceptance and formal apology.

On trial and the verdict

Sheikh Hasina said that she is deeply concerned about the fairness of the trial and the circumstances that produced the verdict. “These charges have been brought by a kangaroo court that is controlled by my political opponents, who fabricated this prosecution in a transparent attempt to delegitimise the Awami League.  Remember, not a single Bangladeshi has ever had the chance to vote for this interim government. It has no genuine respect for accountability or due process,” she said.

On return to Bangladesh

“I want nothing more than to return to my home. However, I can only do so when there are clear security guarantees from a democratically elected authority. This depends entirely on whether Yunus holds free and fair elections. As of today, the largest party in Bangladesh, the Awami League, is being excluded from next year’s elections.”

On extradition

“Any extradition request should be dealt with through proper legal procedures and not used as a tool of diplomatic or political pressure. This request stems from a patently unjust legal process and has been made by an administration that is not governing with the consent of the people. Furthermore, it has been made by an administration which, ridiculously, has displayed open hostility towards New Delhi.”

On Bangladesh’s GDP growth

“I am extremely proud of the economic progress achieved during my time in office. Growth and rising incomes reflect sound and strategic economic planning but, above all, the talent and hard work of the Bangladeshi people. Given rising prosperity, you’re right to suppose that economics had little to do with the events of July and August 2024. As far as an “external hand” is concerned, we have all heard rumours, and certainly, there is some concerning evidence that foreign mercenaries may have been active in Dhaka during the worst days of the violence. But in the absence of an impartial and thorough investigation, it is difficult to draw conclusions. Until and unless a clearer picture emerges, my feeling is that the proximate cause of the uprising was firebrand activists from the opposition parties sowing division and hysteria, and working up resentment to the boiling point.”

On the misuse of government finance

“These allegations are completely unevidenced and plucked from thin air by my political opponents. Corruption sadly exists in all countries, but nobody has been able to show that my family and associates directly benefited from state resources or were complicit in state-sanctioned corruption. The $234 billion claim is ludicrous. It far exceeds Bangladesh’s entire state budget. In practical terms, such an enormous theft isn’t even possible. If it had happened, our economy would have collapsed. But what actually happened was that our economy grew by 450% during my 15 years in office. That, by the way, is a figure verified by the IMF. It is also a concrete achievement that my accusers cannot hope to emulate. They prefer wild allegations over facts. They would be better advised to channel their efforts into improving the lives of ordinary Bangladeshis.”

On radicalisation in Bangladesh

“Stability and security have been essential to Bangladesh’s development. The secular nature of our politics is enshrined in Bangladesh’s constitution, and I was always keen to uphold that. While the state must take firm action against violent extremism, it should do so within the law and without infringing legitimate political freedoms. Today, sectarian violence is rife, and ordinary Bangladeshis live in fear. We have already seen the rise of extremist factions linked to known terrorist organisations in everyday life. Many of these groups are spreading a hardline ideology and seek to oppress some of the most vulnerable in our society, including religious minorities, women, and girls. I do fear our country is sliding toward radicalisation, so we must remain vigilant to guard against it.”

On moral acceptance and apologies

“I mourn each and every life lost in the tragic violence of last summer’s uprising. The implication that I ordered or directed the actions of the security forces on the ground is fundamentally incorrect. If people were harmed because of actions taken in the name of the state, those incidents should be investigated and, if wrongdoing is found, those responsible should be held to account.”

On “House of Mirrors” – secret military detention centre

“Allegations like this are extremely serious. I categorically deny involvement in any programme of illegal detention or disappearance. These claims deserve an independent, credible investigation; survivors and families deserve the truth.”

END OF ARTICLE