Awami League Denounces ICT Proceedings Against Sheikh Hasina as Politically Motivated

Dhaka, 21 June 2025 — The Awami League has strongly criticized the ongoing proceedings by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, labeling the trial as politically motivated and lacking judicial credibility.In a strongly worded statement, party representatives described the trial as a “show trial,” orchestrated under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the current unelected interim government. The statement accused the administration of using the ICT as a political weapon to target opposition figures, particularly members of the Awami League.”The commencement of today’s proceedings is yet another reminder of the concerning state into which Bangladesh has descended,” the statement read. It further cited the United Nations’ prior expressions of concern regarding the lack of due process and fair trial standards within the tribunal.Since Dr. Yunus assumed power, the ICT has reportedly filed charges exclusively against Awami League members. Meanwhile, what the party claims to be widespread crimes against ordinary citizens, journalists, religious minorities, and women remain unaddressed.Rejecting the allegations that Sheikh Hasina or her senior officials directed the use of lethal force during the protests of the previous summer, the Awami League acknowledged incidents of indiscipline among security forces during violent unrest but insisted these were isolated incidents, not part of a coordinated political strategy.“In a fast-moving and febrile situation, breakdowns in discipline among some members of the security forces led to regrettable loss of life,” the statement said, while stressing that the political leadership had no role in street-level security operations.To address the violence, the Awami League claimed it took initiative in early August last year by forming an independent inquiry commission and inviting United Nations observers to monitor developments on the ground.The party also expressed serious doubts over the legitimacy of the ongoing trial, stating that “this cannot and would not be a fair trial in any jurisdiction when officials of the current unelected administration have already—and publicly—labelled Sheikh Hasina as guilty.”The ICT and the interim administration have yet to respond publicly to the Awami League’s statement.