More than one hundred prominent Bangladeshi cultural figures have issued a joint statement condemning the International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) death sentence against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, terming the verdict unconstitutional, non-transparent, and politically vindictive.
The signatories include artists, writers, poets, dramatists, journalists, diplomats, and film professionals from around the world.
In the statement sent to the media on Sunday, they said that delivering such a verdict in Sheikh Hasina’s absence on 17 November has sparked “deep anxiety and fear” among Bangladeshi communities globally.
They further noted that their work for decades has been rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War—humanity, justice, equality, and secularism. The tribunal’s verdict, they argued, raises “serious concerns” about transparency, due process, and the integrity of the rule of law in Bangladesh.
International Human-Rights Groups Express Concern
Amnesty International stated that the trial and sentence were fundamentally unfair, adding that the death penalty only intensifies human-rights violations. Amnesty Secretary General Agnès Callamard criticised the ICT for lacking independence and for being susceptible to political influence.
Human Rights Watch emphasised that all criminal trials must meet international standards of fairness. It said trials in absentia undermine the right to a fair defence, adding that Sheikh Hasina was denied the opportunity to choose her own legal counsel. Court-appointed lawyers were also unable to properly cross-examine witnesses or present counter-evidence, the organisation noted.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed regret over the verdict and reiterated the UN’s opposition to the death penalty. While acknowledging that the verdict may hold meaning for victims, the OHCHR stressed that justice must be achieved through fair and impartial procedures.
Concerns Over Intimidation and Lack of Judicial Independence
The statement alleges that Sheikh Hasina was deprived of adequate legal representation, with credible reports indicating that lawyers willing to defend her were threatened and intimidated by mobs.
The absence of international observers during the trial, despite longstanding concerns about the tribunal’s neutrality and independence, has heightened their alarm.
The signatories argued that every citizen has the right to justice based on international legal standards. The ICT’s conduct, they said, has eroded public trust in the judiciary and undermined the credibility of the justice system.
Five Key Demands
The cultural figures presented five demands to ensure justice, transparency, and accountability:
1. An independent international investigation into all human-rights violations, including the July–August 2024 killings.
2. Cancellation of the current verdict and a fresh retrial under international fair-trial standards.
3. A judiciary free from political interference and pressure.
4. Full legal rights for the accused, including the right to appoint lawyers of their own choosing and the right to an unrestricted legal defence.
5. Future verdicts to be based strictly on truth, law, and verifiable evidence, free from political motives.
Signatories
The statement was signed by a wide range of cultural, literary, and artistic personalities.
Prominent names include freedom-fighter and painter Tazul Imam, cultural leader and recitation artist Ahkam Ullah, film educator Faridur Rahman, writer-journalist Syed Badrul Ahsan, writer-diplomat Dr. Harun Al Rashid, and poet Lutfor Rahman Riton.
Writers and journalists such as Sofiq Babu, SM Abbas, Azam Khan, Masuda Bharti, Sabbir Khan, and Khan Shawkat also endorsed the statement.
Notable film and drama personalities include Rokeya Prachy, Aruna Biswas, Meher Afroz Shaon, Tarin Jahan, Sohana Saba, Shomi Kaiser, Shadhin Khosru, Monira Rawnak Bubly, Diptanita Roy Martin, Simon Sadiq, Jamshed Shamim, Tamal Mahbub, Ehsanul Aziz Babu, Misti Subas, Adhora Niharika, Liana Zaman, Sujon Yusuf, Shamima Tusti, Jyotika Jyoti, Rajnee Ghandha Rafiq, and Anirban Bhattacharya.
Directors and producers who signed include Shahadat Rasel, Sagor Mustafa, S.M. Kamruzzaman Sagar, F.M. Shahin, Sajjad Khan, Suborna Selim, Sajjad Kadir, Ashraful Alam (Shishir Ashraf), Shamim Reza Jewel, Rajib Hasan, Nihaj Khan Morshedur Rahman Antor, Albert Khan, Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar, Dr. Masud Pathik, Khorshedul Alam Khushru, Shah Alam Kiron, and Sohel Khan.
The list also includes cultural activists, musicians, and artists such as Aniket Rajesh, Hasan Abdullah Biplob, Abdur Raihan, Jewel Raj, Selina Akhtar Jochona, Sangeet Sarkar (Kolkata), Salauddin Badol, Siru Bangali, Sunil Kumar, Charu Pintu, Mosharraf Khan Badol, Moniruzzaman, and Turjo Kazi.
Among poets and writers, signatories include freedom-fighter Omar Selim, Delowar Hossain, Nasir Hasan, Sohanur Rahim Shawon, Shahana Jesmin, Akan Abu Bakar, Mosharrof Hossain, Nasrin Khan Pathan, Shahin Alim Joy, Asadullah, Padmanabh Adhikari, Kamrul Hasan, Nasir Uddin Haidar, Kamrul Islam, Shanejul Islam, Shoaib Naeem, Kaniz Fatema Chowdhury, Nasir Ahmed, Ahmad Monsur, Milton Hasnat, Tuhin Das, Golam Morshed Chandon, Smritivhadra, Kutub Hilali, Sharmin Sultana Rina, Shariful Islam Khan, Kulda Roy, Russell Asad, Redwanur Rahman Jewel, Humayun Kabir Dhali, Manik Mohammad Razzak, Mohasin Khondokar, Sheikh Farid, Kamal Kormokar, Saifullah Mahmud Dulal, Karim Reza, and Junaidul Haq.
