By The Voice News Desk |
June 24, 2025Dhaka – The Awami League has issued a scathing statement denouncing the ongoing proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against its leader Sheikh Hasina as a “politically motivated show trial,” orchestrated by what it describes as an unelected and illegitimate interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.Calling the tribunal proceedings a “kangaroo court,” the party accused the ICT of operating without impartiality or due process, and asserted that it has been weaponized to intimidate and silence political opposition.“The ICT’s proceedings against Sheikh Hasina are little more than a show trial,” read the statement. “This politically motivated tribunal, overseen by an unelected government, is another reminder of the concerning state into which Bangladesh has descended since Dr. Muhammad Yunus took power.”The party cited concerns raised by the United Nations about the tribunal’s failure to meet international standards for fair trials and due process—especially alarming, given that the ICT retains the power to impose the death penalty.
The Awami League highlighted that key government officials have already publicly declared Sheikh Hasina guilty, prejudicing the outcome of the trial. “In any democratic country, such statements would be sufficient to disqualify a fair trial. But Bangladesh is no longer a functioning democracy,” the statement said.Challenging the legitimacy of the charges, the party suggested that if the interim government truly believed in the strength of its case, it would refer the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. “The ICC process would be impartial and weigh the evidence fairly. The interim government knows this—and also knows the ICC would inevitably issue a not guilty verdict.”The party further alleged that the ICT has prosecuted only Awami League leaders since the transitional government took power in August 2024, while “widespread crimes against ordinary Bangladeshis, journalists, religious minorities, and women remain uninvestigated.”Moreover, the statement condemned what it called a deliberate assault on the legal profession, noting that lawyers defending Awami League members have been subjected to “fabricated prosecutions and imprisonment,” effectively depriving defendants of the right to a fair defense.The Awami League, which remains banned from political participation, reiterated its commitment to democratic norms and accused the Yunus-led administration of undermining Bangladesh’s multiparty, secular democratic tradition.### **Rebutting the Charges**Responding to specific allegations, the Awami League categorically denied that its senior leadership, including Sheikh Hasina, had authorized or coordinated the use of lethal force during last summer’s protests.“We acknowledge, of course, that breakdowns in discipline among some members of the security forces on the ground in response to instances of violence led to regrettable loss of life,” the party said. “But it would be entirely incorrect to characterize this as a coordinated attack by the country’s elected leadership.”The party also reminded the public that in early August 2024, the then-Awami League-led government had announced the formation of an independent inquiry commission to investigate the incidents, even inviting UN observers to monitor the situation on the ground.The statement closed by reaffirming the party’s position that it remains the victim of a calculated campaign to dismantle democratic opposition in Bangladesh.—For continued updates on the political situation in Bangladesh, follow The Voice News.
