Bangladesh has entered a volatile and decisive phase as the Bangladesh Awami League launched a four-day nationwide shutdown from 19 to 21 November. The follows the International Crimes Tribunal’s verdict sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student protest crackdown. The ruling has triggered widespread political unrest and anger among Awami League supporters.
How Awami League reacted? The Awami League has condemned the trial and verdict as politically motivated to suppress the party’s influence. Hasina, from exile in India, has urged continued resistance and expressed gratitude to her supporters. The interim government has blamed the opposition for fomenting instability and violence, asserting the need to uphold law and order.
Shutdown Measures: The interim government, led by Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, has imposed tight security arrangements in Dhaka and other major cities to contain potential violence. Authorities remain on high alert as tensions continue to escalate across the country.
There is heavy deployment of the Army and Police outside Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at 32 Dhanmondi in Dhaka. Student protesters opposing Sheikh Hasina are demanding that the building be completely demolished, claiming they want to construct a football field at the site. Throughout the day, they clashed with security forces, and even at night, they continued pelting stones from dark corners around the area.
What Sheikh Hasina said on the ICT verdict? Hasina has denounced the verdict as illegal and biased, accusing the interim administration of orchestrating a politically motivated trial aimed at eliminating her and her party’s presence. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have criticised the trial process for failing to meet international fair-trial standards and have opposed the use of the death penalty in this case.
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