Prosecution Demands Death Penalty for Ousted Bangladeshi Premier Hasina

The political crisis in Bangladesh escalated dramatically last week as the prosecution in a special domestic tribunal formally sought the death penalty for the country's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The charges against the former premier and two of her ex-ministers relate to alleged crimes against humanity during the mass anti-government uprising in July and August 2024 that ultimately led to her resignation and flight into exile.

In his closing arguments to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka on Thursday, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam called for the maximum punishment for Ms. Hasina, who has been indicted on charges related to mass killings and violence during the student led protests. The prosecutor stated that Ms. Hasina was the "mastermind and principal architect" behind the crimes, arguing that since the violence, according to the United Nations February 2025 report, resulted in up to 1,400 deaths, she deserves "at least one" death sentence given the severity of the crimes. The prosecution also sought the death penalty for former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, which took power following Ms. Hasina's ouster, has vowed to ensure accountability for the abuses committed during the widespread crackdown. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its February 2025 report noted that it has "reasonable grounds to believe" that the former government and its security apparatus engaged in "systematically... serious human rights violations" at the knowledge and direction of the political leadership.

The pursuit of the death penalty has drawn an immediate response from international non-governmental organizations. Human Rights Watch (HRW), while welcoming the commitment to accountability for the violent abuses, has repeatedly urged the interim government to take steps to abolish capital punishment. HRW stated that it "opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as an inherently cruel and unusual form of punishment" and recommended that before moving ahead with trials, the government should formally adopt a moratorium on the death penalty in line with international human rights law. HRW has also called for significant amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act to guarantee fair trial standards for all accused, including Ms. Hasina.

The trial proceedings against the former Prime Minister, who is being tried in absentia, are set to continue this week as her state-appointed counsel is due to present their arguments on Monday. The former Awami League government had previously dismissed the tribunal as a "kangaroo court." The government's decision on the request for the ultimate penalty will be a defining moment for the country's new administration.

Stay Informed with theTamil,

X (Formerly Twitter)

Facebook

Threads

Comments

LTTE’s Use of Child Soldiers: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war. While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines. Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted. Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...

Former UK Cabin Crew Member Arrested in Sri Lanka with £1.15 Million Cannabis Haul

Sri Lankan authorities have detained Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of cannabis into the country. The drugs, valued at approximately £1.15 million, were found packed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two large suitcases after Lee arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit described the seizure as the largest amount of Kush cannabis ever discovered at the airport. Kush is a potent strain often mixed with synthetic substances and is believed to be destined for high-end buyers within Sri Lanka. Lee, who previously worked for TUI Group and has recently been training as a beautician, remains in custody while investigations continue. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Lee and is in contact with her family and Sri Lankan authorities. Friends of Le...

The LTTE's Campaign of Terror: How a Designated Terrorist Organization Pioneered Modern Suicide Bombing

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stands as one of history's most ruthless terrorist organizations, having systematically violated human rights and pioneered suicide bombing tactics that would later be adopted by terrorist groups worldwide. Designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including Sri Lanka, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, and all 27 member nations of the European Union, the LTTE's three-decade reign of terror in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist violence. Origins and Rise of a Terror Network Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE emerged from earlier militant groups established in the 1970s . What began as a small outfit of 40-50 members in the early 1980s evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated and tightly organized insurgent groups. The organization's transformation into a terror network accelerated following the 1983 ethnic riots, which the LTTE e...

Mass Violence Engulfs Sri Lanka's Eastern Province in 1987 as LTTE Terrorists Launches Systematic Attacks on Civilians

In the autumn of 1987, the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka became the scene of devastating ethnic violence when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) orchestrated a series of massacres targeting the ethnic Sinhala civilian population. Over 200 ethnic Sinhala civilians were massacred and more than 20,000 were forced to flee their homes in what has been described as an attempt of ethnic cleansing. The massacres occurred against the backdrop of an already volatile security situation. Earlier in 1987, the LTTE had carried out several notorious attacks against Sinhalese civilians, including the Good Friday massacre at Aluth Oya on April 17, where 127 passengers were massacred when LTTE terrorists stopped buses and vehicles and systematically murdered the occupants. A week later, over 15 Sinhalese were massacred in an attack on Jayantipura village near Kantale. On June 2, 1987, the LTTE perpetrated one of its most shocking atrocities when its members massacred 33 Buddhist monks, most of ...

A Hero's Final March: Remembering Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa

Thirty-three years ago today, Sri Lanka lost one of its most distinguished military commanders when Lieutenant General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. On August 8, 1992, at Araly Point in Kayts, Jaffna, a landmine explosion claimed the life of this exceptional leader along with nine other brave officers, including Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne and Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha. A Foundation Built on Excellence Born on July 27, 1940, into a prominent family in Kandy, Denzil Kobbekaduwa displayed leadership qualities from his earliest years. His father, Loku Bandara Kobbekaduwa, and mother, Lona Ratwatte, raised him at the historic Deldeniya Walauwa in Kadugannawa, where the foundations of his character were formed. At Trinity College, Kandy, young Kobbekaduwa emerged as a natural leader who excelled both academically and in sports. As a skillful scrum-half, he captained the Trinity 1st XV Rugby team in 1959, earning the coveted Rugby Lion. He was...

Religion At Play: No Visa suspension for "Hindu Pakistanis" - India

Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, India’s decision to revoke all visas for Pakistani nationals while exempting Hindu pakistanis from this suspension has reignited debates about the government’s alignment with Hindu nationalist ideology. The move, framed as a security measure, carries distinct religious undertones, reflecting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) use of Hindu minorities in the neighboring countries for covert influence. Selective Visa Exemptions for Hindu Pakistanis The Ministry of External Affairs of India clarified that Long Term Visas granted to Hindu Pakistani nationals remain valid despite the blanket suspension of visas for all other Pakistani citizens. Long Term Visas are typically issued to non-Muslim minorities including Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh under a 2015 policy aimed at fast tracking citizenship for persecuted groups. ...

Trump's 50% Tariff: Who Will Bear the Brunt in India?

US President Donald Trump's devastating 50% tariff on Indian goods, imposed Wednesday over New Delhi's Russian oil purchases, threatens to unleash economic chaos across key sectors, with millions of jobs at risk and entire industries facing potential collapse. The Ripple Effect: Who Gets Hit Hardest The tariff tsunami will sweep across India's economic landscape, but some sectors face complete devastation. Industry experts warn that 55% of India's $87 billion in annual exports to America worth approximately $48 billion, now faces crushing duties that could render Indian products uncompetitive. Textiles and Apparel: A Sector in Crisis The textile industry faces an existential threat, with over 2 million jobs potentially at risk. The US accounts for 33-34% of India's garment exports, worth $5.3 billion in FY25, and 59% of home textile shipments. Critical impact points: Gokaldas Exports derives 23% of revenue from the US market and saw its stock plum...

CrimeStory : Indian War Crimes in Sri Lanka

A three-year military intervention descended into widespread atrocities as Indian forces perpetrated massacres, torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearances against the very population they claimed to protect. The Indian military deployment to Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990 stands as one of the most brutal and controversial peacekeeping missions in modern history. Originally deployed under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord to disarm Tamil terrorist groups and establish peace, the Indian military forces instead became perpetrators of extensive war crimes and crimes against humanity against Tamil civilians. The Valvettithurai Massacre: A Systematic Campaign of Terror The most documented atrocity occurred in Valvettithurai over three days in August 1989, when Indian military soldiers killed more than 60 Tamil civilians, including five children under the age of 16 and one infant. Survivors recounted horrific scenes of execution style killings, with witnesses forced to play dead among pool...

Pakistan’s Economy Surpasses $400 Billion Mark: A Milestone Amid Challenges

In a historic achievement, Pakistan’s economy has officially crossed the $400 billion threshold for the first time, reaching approximately $411 billion in the fiscal year 2025, according to provisional estimates by the National Accounts Committee (NAC). This marks a 2.68% growth from the previous year’s $372 billion, reflecting a notable recovery despite ongoing economic pressures. The nominal GDP growth, averaging a compound annual rate of 9.3% over the past five years, places Pakistan among the world’s top 40 largest economies. The economy expanded from Rs105.1 trillion in FY24 to Rs114.7 trillion in FY25, with sectors showing mixed performance: agriculture grew modestly by 1.18%, industry faced a slight contraction, and services demonstrated stronger recovery. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted this milestone as a sign of steady progress, while acknowledging that achieving the government’s long-term goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2035 will require sustained r...

IMF Gives Go Ahead: Pakistan Secures Staff-Level Agreement for $1.2 Billion Tranche

Pakistan has successfully reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the release of approximately $1.2 billion in crucial financing, signalling strong international confidence in the country's ongoing economic stabilisation programme. The agreement, announced by the IMF overnight on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, follows intensive policy discussions held by an IMF mission team in Karachi and Islamabad from late September. The funds are subject to final approval by the IMF's Executive Board. The total disbursement of $1.2 billion is a combination of $1.0 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and an additional $200 million under the new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the first tranche under the climate focused arrangement. A statement released by the IMF confirmed the progress, noting that "Supported by the EFF, Pakistan's economic program is entrenching macroeconomic stability and rebuilding market confidence....

theTamil Global