Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death by a special tribunal on charges of crimes against humanity in relation to the fatal crackdown on a student uprising last year that led to the end of her 15-year rule.
The violence is estimated by the United Nations to have killed up to 1,400 people, after deadly force was used against the protesters.
00:00For all these three counts, we have decided to inflict her with only one sentence, that is sentence of death.
00:17The handing down of verdicts today by the International Crimes Tribunal against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
00:24and the former Home Minister on charges of crimes against humanity is an important moment.
00:30For the victims of grave human rights violations committed during the suppression of protests last year.
00:36While we were not privy to the conduct of this trial, we have consistently advocated for all accountability proceedings,
00:43especially on charges of international crimes, to unquestionably meet international standards of due process and fair trial.
00:51This is particularly vital when, as was the case here, the trials have been conducted in absentia and led to a capital punishment sentence.
00:59We also regret the imposition of the death penalty, which we oppose in all circumstances.
01:05The High Commissioner hopes Bangladesh will move forward with the comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation and justice as the pathway to national reconciliation and healing.
01:15This should include meaningful and transformative security sector reforms to ensure that these violations and abuses are never repeated,
01:23and our Office stands ready to support the government and people of Bangladesh in these endeavours.
01:28The High Commissioner calls for calm and for all to exercise restraint in these difficult circumstances.
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