Legal Experts Question Fairness of Sheikh Hasina’s War Crimes Tribunal Verdict

A Bangladesh tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. The verdict was delivered on Monday by the International Crimes Tribunal. The case has drawn intense international scrutiny.

Serious legal and procedural questions now surround the trial’s legitimacy. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the court’s very foundation was altered by an interim government. These changes were not approved by Parliament.

Procedural Flaws and Judicial Appointments Under Scrutiny

The International Crimes Tribunal was created for 1971 war of independence crimes. Amendments to its scope were made via a presidential ordinance in 2024. Legal experts argue this move was invalid without parliamentary approval.

The appointment of the three judges also violated constitutional rules. The tribunal’s chairman was only appointed as a high court judge days before the case was announced. The other judges include a retired sessions judge and a lawyer with alleged political links.

None had prior experience applying international legal principles. This is a significant gap for a trial concerning crimes against humanity. The chief prosecutor’s appointment raised more concerns due to his prior work for war criminals.

A Rushed Trial and Inadequate Defense

Sheikh Hasina maintained she was denied her choice of legal counsel. The state-appointed defense lawyer had no background in international criminal law. He also did not communicate with Hasina during the preparation.

The defense received a vast amount of evidence just five weeks before the trial began. Despite the volume, they did not request more preparation time. The entire trial, from start to finish, lasted less than three months.

This unusually fast timeline has led analysts to question the verdict’s integrity. A capital case with such complex evidence typically takes many months. The speed suggests the outcome may have been predetermined.

The sentencing of Sheikh Hasina by a tribunal clouded in controversy raises fundamental questions about justice and political retribution. The global community continues to watch as the legal and political fallout from this verdict unfolds.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh?

The ICT was established to prosecute genocide and war crimes from the 1971 liberation war. Its legal scope was later amended by the interim government, a move legal experts challenge.

What were the specific charges against Sheikh Hasina?

The tribunal found her guilty of ordering lethal force against student protests. She also received a separate life sentence for complicity in crimes against civilians by state forces and party cadres.

Why are legal experts concerned about the trial’s fairness?

Key concerns include invalid amendments to the tribunal’s law, questionable judicial appointments, a conflict of interest for the prosecutor, and an exceptionally rushed trial timeline.

Has Sheikh Hasina responded to the verdict?

Yes. She called the verdict a “foregone conclusion.” She stated it was delivered by a rigged tribunal set up by an unelected government to eliminate her political party.

What happens next following the death sentence?

The verdict is expected to be appealed. The legal process will continue, but the sentence has intensified political tensions within Bangladesh and drawn international concern.