DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Thousands of people, led by students, rallied in Bangladesh’s capital on Tuesday, demanding the prosecution of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and individuals accountable for the deaths of hundreds in a mass uprising against her government in July. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organized the “March for Unity” at the Central Shaheed Minar, a national monument in Dhaka. Protesters echoed calls for Hasina’s trial and the dissolution of her Awami League party.
Hasina departed for India on Aug. 5 following a period of violence during which authorities report hundreds killed and thousands wounded under her government’s orders. The uprising marked the conclusion of the 15-year rule of the country’s longest-serving prime minister, who had commenced a fourth consecutive term in January after an election boycott by major opposition parties.
Bangladesh formally requested India last week to extradite Hasina, who confronts numerous court cases related to the deaths of demonstrators, with some charges involving crimes against humanity.
“Since August 5, we have no more enemies in Bangladesh. Our only enemy is the Awami League,” stated Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the student movement, addressing the crowd.
Protesters also urged the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to issue a formal declaration by Jan. 15 outlining the events of the uprising. Student leaders seek the declaration to encompass two primary demands: the establishment of a new constitution post the 1972 charter, which was enacted during the tenure of Hasina’s father and the prohibition of the Awami League party.
The Awami League, led by Hasina, governed Bangladesh for 15 years, beginning in 2009.
The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka has already released arrest warrants for Hasina and her close confidants, with the government soliciting assistance from Interpol in pursuing her apprehension.
Sajeeb Wazed, Hasina’s son, expressed doubts about the tribunal’s credibility and denounced the charges against his mother as a “political witch hunt” from the U.S.
Conversely, the interim government has committed to prosecuting Hasina and others in her administration for alleged crimes linked to protester fatalities and has invited the United Nations to aid in investigating these incidents.
Hasina has additionally called for an inquiry, suggesting that numerous deaths could involve entities beyond security agencies.
