Dhaka, 05/12/2024 – A Bangladeshi court has issued an embargo on the broadcast of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent speech, classifying it as “hate speech” that could disrupt ongoing legal proceedings. The decision was made by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which has also issued an arrest warrant against Hasina in connection with several investigations under its jurisdiction.
The speech in question, delivered by Hasina in a public address, has drawn controversy due to its contents, which prosecutors argue could intimidate witnesses and victims involved in cases before the ICT. Prosecutor Golam Monawar Hossain Tamim stated that the speech had the potential to hinder the course of justice, as it could affect the integrity of the ongoing investigations into the former prime minister’s alleged role in wartime crimes.
“We sought a ban on the dissemination of her hate speech as it could influence the witnesses and the ongoing trials,” Tamim told reporters following the court’s ruling. The ICT agreed with the request, citing the need to protect the fairness of legal processes.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been at the center of multiple legal cases related to war crimes during the country’s 1971 independence war, is accused of involvement in actions that the tribunal is currently investigating. Her speech, along with the arrest warrant, has escalated political tensions in Bangladesh, particularly with her political opponents who have condemned the court’s actions.
The court’s decision to block the speech from being broadcast in Bangladesh marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political struggles surrounding Hasina’s leadership.