Sheikh Hasina to face justice after repatriation: Home Minister

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be brought back to the country, arrested, and the court's verdict will be executed, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. At the same time, he said the political future of the Awami League will be determined not through any administrative order, but through the law and judicial process.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting titled 'The Turning Point of the Mass Uprising' organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal at the Dhaka University TSC auditorium on Wednesday (July 15) afternoon.

The Home Minister said necessary amendments have been made to the International Crimes Tribunal Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act. As a result, along with Sheikh Hasina as an individual, there is now scope to bring the Awami League under trial as an organisation.

He said the government is not in favour of banning any political party through administrative or executive orders. The political future of the Awami League will be determined through the lawful process of the court.

Referring to Article 47 of the Constitution, Salahuddin Ahmed said there is scope to bring any organisation under trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. Citing the example of the Nuremberg Tribunal after the Second World War, he said a political organisation cannot avoid responsibility for crimes committed using state forces.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina's trial, he said the government has formally sent a letter to the concerned country under the extradition treaty to bring her back. She will be arrested upon being brought back and the court's verdict will be executed.

The minister informed that steps have been taken to issue arrest warrants through Interpol to bring back former government ministers, MPs and officials currently abroad.

Referring to the July-August mass uprising, he said it is the responsibility of all people in the country to protect the democracy achieved through this movement. National unity must be further strengthened to prevent the return of fascism.

On state reform, Salahuddin Ahmed said there are plans to reform the constitution and other necessary laws in light of BNP's 31-point programme and the National July Charter. Steps are being taken to bring changes to the state structure to ensure that no autocracy can undermine democracy in the future.

He said the credit for the July movement does not belong to any single individual or party; it was the sacrifice of ordinary people that made the movement successful.

Also speaking at the event was BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel. The event was presided over by Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal central president Rakibul Islam Rakib. At the end of the event, special prayers and doa were offered in memory of those martyred in the July mass uprising.