Hundreds of journalists around the world have shaken their heads at the verdict by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The court, on Monday, sentenced Hasina to death for “crimes against humanity” linked to July 2024 protests. It also cut a death sentence for former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and gave ex‑Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al‑Mamun five years in prison for turning state witness.
A joint statement from 102 journalists—working in local and foreign media—was posted on the Awami League’s social media. The writers say the trial shows “bias, non‑transparency and political pressure.” “When the judiciary can’t act independently, democracy and the rule of law suffer,” they warned. The group demands the verdict be voided immediately and the case restarted in a fair, open process.
“Justice must be the same for leaders and ordinary people,” the statement added. “The trial lacked due process and neutrality, and these are core to a fair system.”
Support for the verdict also faces backlash. Around 1,001 teachers from Bangladesh’s public universities rejected the death sentence, calling it “fabricated” and “farcical.” They described the ICT as a “kangaroo court” that relies on false testimony and a “dictatorial, biased” system. The teachers’ statement highlighted the need to uphold the ideals of the country’s independence and the liberation war. They expressed solidarity with the public and condemned what they see as a predestined, hateful verdict against the country’s modern leader.
The controversy comes at a time when Bangladesh’s political climate is under intense scrutiny. Critics say the ICT’s actions undermine confidence in the judicial system, jeopardizing human rights and democratic governance. The international press and civil society groups are calling for an urgent review of the process, demanding transparent investigations and the protection of fundamental rights.
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