Hasina verdict to test July justice in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is preparing for a closely watched verdict in the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity during last year’s July uprising. A three-judge panel of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 is due to deliver its ruling on Monday, 17 November, in a case that has drawn intense attention at home and abroad. 

The tribunal will announce the verdict in Dhaka, with state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) airing the proceedings live. Large screens are expected at several key points in the capital, while the tribunal’s official social-media channels will also stream the judgment, allowing viewers worldwide to follow the outcome in real time.

July crackdown under global scrutiny

The charges against Hasina stem from the deadly crackdown on student-led protests in July 2024, when demonstrations over public-sector job quotas evolved into a wider anti-government movement. Rights groups and international agencies say security forces and ruling-party activists used live ammunition and excessive force, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured. 

Estimates of the death toll vary, but a U.N. human-rights report has suggested that up to 1,400 people may have been killed during several weeks of unrest. As a result, the interim government that replaced Hasina requested a formal investigation, and the International Crimes Tribunal opened a case focused on the killings and enforced disappearances linked to the July violence. 

Tribunal prepares landmark ruling

Prosecutors accuse Hasina of ordering security forces and allied groups to use lethal force against largely unarmed protesters, describing the crackdown as “coordinated and systematic violence” that may amount to crimes against humanity. She is being tried in absentia alongside former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun; the former police chief has reportedly turned state witness. 

The prosecution has asked the tribunal to impose the maximum sentence allowed under Bangladeshi law, arguing that the scale of the killings demands the harshest possible punishment. However, defence lawyers who spoke to local and international media say the case is politically motivated and based on selective evidence.

Victims’ families seek accountability

For families of those killed in the July protests, the verdict represents a critical step toward recognition of their losses. Many relatives have called for a transparent process and say they want both truth and compensation. Meanwhile, rights groups argue that any judgment must be followed by deeper reforms in policing and the justice system to prevent future abuses. 

Supporters claim trial is political

Hasina, who fled to India after resigning in August 2024, has not appeared before the tribunal and has repeatedly rejected the allegations through her party and lawyers. Her supporters describe the proceedings as a “witch-hunt” by the interim authorities and question the tribunal’s impartiality, noting its political role under previous governments as well. 

Bangladesh faces test of rule of law

As the verdict approaches, security has been tightened in Dhaka, and analysts warn that any perception of unfairness could deepen political divisions. Yet many Bangladeshis hope that a credible ruling—whichever way it goes—will mark progress toward accountability for the bloody events of 2024. The world will be watching closely as the tribunal delivers its decision.

Feature Image: Getty Images

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