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UN Chief Opposes Death Penalty for Sheikh Hasina Amid Bangladesh Verdict

The United Nations has taken a firm stance against the death penalty imposed on Sheikh Hasina. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opposes the verdict through his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The conviction was delivered by a Bangladeshi court that revived the International Crimes Tribunal. UN human rights officials have raised concerns about whether the trial met international standards of due process.

Key Points: UN's Guterres Opposes Death Penalty for Sheikh Hasina

  • UN Secretary-General opposes death penalty following Bangladesh court verdict
  • Sheikh Hasina convicted in absentia while living in exile in India
  • UN Human Rights Commissioner questions trial's due process standards
  • Verdict relates to suppression of student protests last year in Bangladesh
2 min read

UN chief Guterres opposes death penalty for Sheikh Hasina 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voices opposition to death penalty imposed on Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, supporting UN human rights position on the verdict.

"We stand against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances - Stephane Dujarric, UN Spokesperson"

United Nations, Nov 18

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is against the death penalty imposed on Sheikh Hasina by a Bangladesh court, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

“We stand against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances”, he said on Monday, replying to a question at his daily briefing on the sentence imposed in absentia on the leader who is in exile in India.

Dujarric cited a statement by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk and said that “we fully agree with” his opposition to death penalty.

He added, “I'd refer you to what Volker Türk's office said, that the verdicts delivered today is an important moment for victims of the grave violations committed during the suppression of protests last year in Bangladesh”.

The death penalty was handed down by a local court comprised of solely of Bangladeshi judges that styled itself “the International Crimes Tribunal”, which convicted her of "crimes against humanity".

The court was originally created to try Pakistanis and their Bangladeshi collaborators who carried out a genocide during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

It was revived by Muhammad Yunus, the unelected leader controlling the nation, and his supporters to try Sheikh Hasina and others on charges relating to the suppression of student protests last year that led to her fleeing country.

Turk’s Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, in a statement issued in Geneva, said the verdicts against Hasina and her Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal “is an important moment for victims of the grave violations committed during the suppression of protests last year”.

But she acknowledged, “We were not privy to the conduct of this trial” and said such proceedings should “unquestionably meet international standards of due process and fair trial” when it is conducted in absentia with the possibility of death penalty.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The UN is right to oppose death penalty. In our region, we should move towards more humane justice systems. Bangladesh should reconsider this verdict, especially when conducted in absentia.
A
Arjun K
This situation is worrying for regional stability. Bangladesh is our neighbor and such political turmoil affects all of South Asia. Hope cooler heads prevail and diplomatic solutions are found.
S
Sarah B
While I respect the UN's position against death penalty, we must also acknowledge that if serious crimes were committed during protest suppression, there should be accountability. The trial process must be fair though.
V
Vikram M
The fact that this trial was conducted in absentia raises serious questions about due process. Even if there are allegations, justice must be seen to be done properly. This sets a dangerous precedent in our neighborhood.
M
Michael C
India has to handle this very carefully given Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile here. Our foreign policy team must be working overtime on this one. Complex diplomatic situation for sure.

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