FLASH
Shkruar nga Diplomatico | Pamfleti.net
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. A global warning about political accountability and the strength of national justice...
On 17 November 2025, the ICT-1 Special Court for Crimes Against Humanity in Dhaka found former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death. The verdict, handed down in absentia, relates to her direct responsibility for the use of state force against student protests that culminated in the overthrow of the government in August 2024. About 1,400 people were killed in those protests.
According to the indictment, Hasina ordered the use of military force, including armed helicopters and drones, against civilian protesters. The tribunal considered her actions part of a systematic strategy of repression that violated international human rights conventions. Hasina is in India, taking refuge since the fall of her government, and Indian authorities have not yet given any indication of her extradition.
This decision follows the banning of the Awami League party from political activity, a decision issued in May 2025 by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. This government came to power after the violent overthrow of the Hasina administration, which had long been accused of corruption, clientelism and authoritarianism.
Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed concerns about the procedural standards of ICT-1, raising questions about the independence of the trial panel and the lack of an effective defense in the absence of the accused. However, the decision is being hailed as a rare precedent, where for the first time in South Asia, a former prime minister is being held accountable for crimes against his own population.
Echoes and parallels with the Balkans
This development has profound implications for countries with similar political histories. In the Balkans, where accountability of political leaders is almost non-existent and justice is often politically hijacked, Hasina’s case shows that even the most powerful figures can be overthrown and tried if the system moves. The case helps reframe the perception that justice is not a privilege for the few, but an obligation for all.
For Albania, where justice reform remains under implementation and citizen trust in institutions is low, this decision should serve as an incentive for building mechanisms that guarantee real accountability and punishment for abuses of power.
Diplomacy and geopolitics
India, where Hasina is based, is in a delicate position. As a traditional supporter of the Awami League, it must decide whether to protect its political ally or cooperate with the Bangladeshi judiciary. This diplomatic test will also affect India's positioning in the region and with its global allies.
For the West, the decision against Hasina could serve as an example of strengthening national justice and drawing a red line against political violence, especially in countries where seemingly democratic structures are used as a tool of authoritarian control.
Sheikh Hasina's case is not just the end of a political era in Bangladesh. It is a global signal that the days when high power protected leaders from justice are fading. For the Balkan countries and Albania in particular, this verdict should serve as an example that justice is possible even when politics does not want it./ Pamphlet
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