Interim Leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, Speaks on Trials for Sheikh Hasina and Associates
The acting leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, has informed Sky News that previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be on trial for crimes against humanity. Not only Hasina but her associates, including family members, clients, and other related individuals, are expected to face legal action. Hasina, who was ousted due to widespread protests and currently resides in India, is accused of overseeing a network of clandestine detention centers where political rivals were allegedly tortured and some killed under the guise of a “war on terror.” Bangladesh has issued two arrest warrants for Hasina; however, New Delhi has not formally responded to these requests.
Yunus recently inspected one of the now-infamous secret jails, known as the ‘House of Mirrors,’ expressing profound shock at the conditions. Hasina and her administration are charged with the alleged abduction, torture, and murder of numerous activists, accusations she denies as politically motivated.
The scope of the alleged crimes has been considerable, with the inquiry into the sophisticated network of as many as 800 secret jails taking time to process. The scale of the involvement is such that “it’s challenging to pinpoint who was truly and enthusiastically committed to these actions and who acted under orders,” Yunus remarked. Hasina and the security forces are also implicated in a violent crackdown on demonstrators in July and August preceding her departure, with the United Nations estimating the loss of up to 1,400 lives.
Yunus tempers expectations regarding swift justice for the families of those affected and whether such outcomes will occur under his supervision. Elections to establish a new government could convene as early as December. Addressing the complexity of the legal proceedings, he stated, “Some people will be punished, some will remain under investigation, and others will go untraced.”
Professor Yunus is also contending with other significant issues, such as corruption investigations involving individuals connected to Hasina and a severe refugee crisis. The situation with the Rohingya, a religious and ethnic minority fleeing Myanmar to Bangladesh, is particularly dire. Yunus is in discussions with rebel factions in Myanmar about creating a “safe zone” for the refugees’ eventual return to Myanmar. Additionally, Cox’s Bazar, home to the largest refugee camp globally, faces substantial challenges, including violence, drug-related issues, and paramilitary activities among the approximately one million Rohingya refugees.
These tasks mark the substantial burden Yunus carries as Bangladesh’s interim leader, addressing human rights, political stability, and humanitarian crises.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/ousted-pm-sheikh-hasina-will-stand-trial-for-crimes-against-humanity-bangladeshs-interim-leader-says-13321285
