A collective of expatriate Bangladeshi physicians aligned with the values of the Liberation War have issued a powerful statement condemning the ongoing trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, describing it as a “sham” and “politically orchestrated” effort to undermine her legacy and Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory. The statement was released under the banner of the Global Council of Progressive Bangladeshi Physicians.
According to the joint press statement, the physicians alleged that Sheikh Hasina — the country’s “legitimate prime minister” — is being subjected to a trial driven by political vendetta under an “illegally constituted” International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
The tribunal, they said, is operating under a controversial ordinance issued by the current interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, whom they accuse of seizing power bypassing constitutional processes.
The physicians credited Sheikh Hasina with transformative changes in Bangladesh’s health sector over the past 15 years, including revitalizing community clinics, drastically reducing maternal mortality, expanding vaccine coverage, and upgrading medical infrastructure. They claimed that the ongoing trial is part of a broader conspiracy to dismantle these achievements.
International legal concerns were also cited in the statement, especially the observations of legal experts from London’s Doughty Street Chambers. The concerns include the trial being held in absentia, the alleged political affiliations of judges and prosecutors, and what they described as “selective justice,” all of which they say undermine the principles of judicial impartiality and human rights.
“We categorically reject this so-called trial conducted under an illegitimate ordinance by an illegal regime,” the statement said. “This process is not justice, but political revenge designed to distort history and halt Bangladesh’s democratic progress.”
The signatories called for the immediate cessation of all trial proceedings against Sheikh Hasina and urged Bangladeshis to remain united, asserting that justice cannot be subverted indefinitely.
The statement was signed by over 20 medical professionals affiliated with various expatriate Awami League and Swachip chapters, including Dr. Mohammad Ali Manik (USA Awami League), Professor Dr. Habibe Millat (former MP), Dr. Rabi Alam (Chattogram Medical College), Dr. ATM Imdadul Haque (Malaysia), and others across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and South Africa.
The signatories ended the statement with the historic slogans: “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.”
