On 17 November Bangladesh witnessed one of the historic moment, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was given a death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal. The entire judgment revolved around one central point, the court believed she was directly responsible for the severe actions during the 2024 student movement, a period that changed the country’s political story forever.
The 2024 protests began with students stepping onto the streets with simple demands. But slowly, more and more people joined in, the anger spread, and the streets got filled with thousands of voices calling for change. What started as peaceful demonstrations soon turned into a nationwide wave. And in the middle of this rising tension came violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
Reports from global media and human rights groups later suggested that a large number of civilians lost their lives during those months. The tribunal stated that such a massive loss could not have taken place without the knowledge of the top leader who was Sheikh Hasina.
The court said she carried the highest responsibility because she was the head of the government when the violence happened. As per the judgment, security agencies acted with excessive force, and these actions were either allowed, supported, or not stopped by her. This became the most important reason behind the punishment.
Prosecutors presented witness statements, internal documents, and a voice recording to support their claims. The audio clip believed by the tribunal to contain Hasina’s voice was accepted as evidence after a technical check. Her team rejected the clip, saying it was not authentic, but the court stood firm on the evidences.
The tribunal described the harsh actions as a planned response, not a sudden mistake. They said the government had full awareness of how the protests were being handled on the streets. For this reason, the charges were placed under “crimes against humanity”, a category used when civilians face large-scale harm under state authority.
By the time the case reached court, Sheikh Hasina was no longer in the country. She left Bangladesh in August 2024 as the situation intensified. Because she did not return, the trial continued in her absence, as allowed by Bangladeshi law.
The verdict created a deep divide across the nation. Families of victims said the decision finally gave acknowledgment to their suffering. But international organisations expressed concern, saying the political climate around the trial could not be ignored. Supporters of Sheikh Hasina called the case politically motivated and said the judgment did not reflect the full truth.
The next steps will depend on appeals, diplomatic discussions, and whether she chooses to return. But one thing is certain that this verdict has become one of the most significant moments in Bangladesh’s political history.