UN Hails Verdict Against Hasina, Regrets Death Penalty as Bangladesh Braces for Tension
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The United Nations has welcomed the verdict against Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, calling it a crucial step towards accountability for victims of crimes against humanity. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret over the imposition of the death penalty. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal found Hasina, 78, guilty of crimes against humanity committed during the 2022 protests against her government. She was sentenced to death in absentia, along with her aide and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The UN human rights office has been advocating for accountability and justice for the victims of the crackdown, which resulted in the deaths of up to 1,400 people, according to an estimated report. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for calm in Bangladesh, urging the government to move forward with a comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation, and justice. "This is a critical moment for Bangladesh," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. "We stand against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and we urge the government to exercise restraint and ensure that the trials meet international standards of due process and fair trial.
