IBNS-CMEDIA: Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she intends to return to Bangladesh around December, despite suspecting she could be arrested or even killed upon arrival.
“They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me,” Hasina told Reuters. “Still, I have to go.”
Plans to return and surrender
According to Reuters, this is the first time the former prime minister has publicly outlined a timeline for returning to Bangladesh, confirmed her intention to surrender before a court and disclosed that other exiled Awami League leaders also plan to return.
Among those expected to return is former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who has also been sentenced to death.
“The authorities in Dhaka want to take me back; they are repeatedly sending letters to India seeking to have me sent back,” Hasina said. “I will go myself.”
Death sentence after conviction by tribunal
Months later, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity linked to the government’s crackdown on the 2024 protests.
The tribunal held Hasina responsible for ordering, or failing to prevent, the killings of protesters during the unrest.
Hasina has consistently denied the allegations against her.
Bangladesh witnessed a major mass uprising in July 2024, which ousted the Sheikh Hasina government. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/NayeemibnmatiurNo contact with Dhaka over return plans
She also said she was unconcerned about the possibility of imprisonment, noting that she had been arrested on several occasions during her political career.
“Democracy, voting rights, the political rights of the Awami League and justice are not subjects for secret talks.”
Awami League leaders face cases after ouster
“Cases have been filed against almost all of our leaders and workers, and many of them are in hiding,” she said.
“So I said that this time I am returning home, and one day, all of you should come. All together, we will all surrender in court.”
Hasina’s political future
Reflecting on her years in office, she acknowledged that governments can make mistakes but said voters should ultimately decide their political future.
“When a government works for a long time, mistakes can happen, no government is above error,” she said. “But the right to judge the good and bad, the right and wrong of a government belongs to the people. I leave that judgment to the people.”
“They may have convicted me, and I may not be able to contest elections,” she said. “But why should they suspend the Awami League? If we have done badly, let the people decide.”
