The letter dated March 30, 2026 made available by informed sources say --
• The verdict and sentence imposed against Sheikh Hasina be immediately set aside as legally void
• No steps be taken to execute the death sentence, which would constitute summary execution in violation of international law;
The letter addressed to International Crimes Tribunal
Old High Court Building
says --- among other things
"Any further proceedings against Sheikh Hasina be conducted only in full compliance with international fair trial standards, including proper notification, disclosure of all allegations and evidence, the opportunity for Sheikh Hasina to participate meaningfully in her defence with legal representation of her choosing, and trial before an independent and impartial tribunal;
It also demands that -- "The government of Bangladesh take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of lawyers and others associated with the Awami League who face intimidation and violence".
Analysts say the 'letter' has a special significance as it comes post-Bangladesh elections 2026 and the change of regime under BNP leadership.
In security term they suggest - the "cooling of relations" with India has also created a new regional balance.
The Role of Paramilitary Forces also perhaps highlights the central role of the new system to play a genuine stabilizing force.
The letter from Team Sheikh Hasina says - "We write to formally object to the unlawful conduct of proceedings that have resulted in the prosecution and sentencing of Sheikh Hasina by the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal".
It objected that the former Bangladesh PM Ms Hasina was "prosecuted and sentenced in absentia for capital offences in proceedings that are fundamentally incompatible with basic international standards for fairness and due process and violate her fundamental rights under international law".
This correspondence does not constitute acceptance of, submission to, or recognition of the legitimacy of these proceedings as currently constituted. Sheikh Hasina expressly reserves the right to challenge the jurisdiction, composition, conduct and outcomes of these proceedings in all available fora."
The letter says the verdict and sentence arising from the proceedings is "without legal validity and constitutes a grave violation of Sheikh Hasina’s fundamental rights, in particular, her right to a fair trial and right to life."
The communique says :
The alleged conduct, arising from law enforcement responses to civil unrest in 2024, falls squarely within the jurisdiction of Bangladesh’s criminal law courts, which have jurisdiction to prosecute offences including homicide, excessive use of force, and other criminal conduct.
The retrospective application of these amendments raises grave concern under the principle of legality. International law prohibits the retrospective criminalisation of conduct and the retrospective extension of tribunal jurisdiction in a manner that prejudices the accused.
Indeed, Bangladesh’s constitution, at Article 35 (1) guarantees that no one shall be punished except in accordance with law. The amendments purport to have retrospective effect from 2009, yet are being applied to prosecute conduct from 2024: a legal impossibility that violates fundamental principles of fair notice and legal certainty".
The missive also says the proper forum for any legitimate prosecution of the alleged conduct (crackdown during July-August 2024 protest) is Bangladesh’s ordinary criminal justice system, not a specialised tribunal created for historical war crimes.
The letter says in Sheikh Hasina's case, the proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal demonstrate multiple and serious failures to meet these fundamental standards of judicial independence and impartiality.
Moreover, it said the tribunal "failed to satisfy" the requirements of independence and impartiality, thereby violating Sheikh Hasina's right to a fair trial under Article 14(1) ICCPR.
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| Blogger - Dhaka - 2017 |
ends
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