United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the death sentence handed down to ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The UN chief’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, stated categorically that the United Nations opposes the death penalty under all circumstances .
Sheikh Hasina, 78, is facing trial at the so-called International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka on charges of crimes against humanity and involvement in the violent repression of student-led protests last year . The trial took place in her absence as she is currently in exile.
Former Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death in absentia in the case. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned approver, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Citing a statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, the UN said the verdict came from a trial called an ‘International Criminal Tribunal’, even though all the judges involved were Bangladeshi, and the process did not meet international judicial standards.
Amnesty International also called the verdict a “miscarriage of justice.”
Amnesty International also strongly condemned the death sentences handed down to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The organization’s Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, called it a grave miscarriage of justice .
Amnesty stated that:
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This decision raises serious questions about fair trial
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An independent, transparent and fair process is essential in sensitive cases such as crimes against humanity.
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Death penalty cannot provide justice in any way.
The issue has sparked global debate following objections from the United Nations and international human rights organizations. The decision is further fueling already existing political tensions in Bangladesh.