Bangladesh Seeks Return Of Deposed PM Sheikh Hasina, Sends Note Verbale To India
Bangladesh sends diplomatic note to India seeking the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for legal proceedings related to charges of crimes against humanity and genocide.
Bangladesh’s interim government on Monday announced that it has sent a diplomatic note to India requesting the return of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face legal proceedings in Dhaka. Hasina, 77, has been living in exile in India since 5 August, when she fled the country following student-led protests that ended her 16-year rule.
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, who serves as the de facto foreign minister, confirmed the development while speaking to reporters. “We have sent a note verbale (diplomatic message) to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process,” Hossain stated, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam informed reporters that his office had submitted a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate Hasina’s extradition. “We have sent a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently underway,” he said in response to a query.
Alam further highlighted that an existing extradition treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi could be utilised to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh.
It must be noted that the communique sent is note verbale not a formal extradition request.
The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide.
ALSO READ | Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina involved in enforced disappearance: Bangladesh commission
Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus On Sheikh Hasina's Extradition
The development follows remarks made in November by Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who announced that the interim government would seek Hasina's extradition. Addressing the nation on the completion of 100 days in office, Yunus reiterated his administration's commitment to ensuring justice for all citizens, including religious minorities. "We must ensure justice in every killing...We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina," Yunus was quoted as saying by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.
The remarks marked a shift from Yunus' earlier comments to the Financial Times, where he indicated that the government would not immediately pursue Hasina's return. Yunus assumed office on August 8, following Hasina's resignation amidst mass protests.
The 77-year-old former Bangladesh prime minister fled to India after demonstrations erupted over a contentious government job quota system. These protests, spearheaded by students, reportedly resulted in significant casualties. Yunus has alleged that during the July-August unrest, approximately 1,500 people, including students and workers, were killed, and 19,931 others were wounded. Hasina landed at Hindon airbase near Delhi on 5 August and was subsequently moved to an undisclosed location, where she has remained out of public view.
The Bangladesh interim government has accused Hasina and her party of orchestrating a violent crackdown on the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, leading to the deaths and injuries of numerous demonstrators. Investigations into these events are ongoing, including cases of violence against religious minorities.
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