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Bangladesh protests: In a dramatic development, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the newly appointed chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, has sharply criticised ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Yunus, who took over after Hasina resigned on August 8 and fled to India on August 5, has accused Hasina of dismantling key institutions and suppressing democratic rights during her tenure.
Addressing foreign diplomats in Dhaka for the first time since his appointment, Yunus condemned Hasina’s alleged “dictatorship”, which he claimed had led to the dismantling of the judiciary, suppression of democratic rights and widespread corruption. He vowed to hold “free, fair and participatory” elections after the completion of his government’s term and to implement necessary reforms in the Election Commission, the judiciary, the civil administration, the security forces and the media.
Yunus described the country’s situation as “a total mess” and criticized the previous government for rigging elections and allowing widespread political patronage and economic mismanagement. He emphasized his administration’s commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability, tackling corruption, and ensuring good governance. The interim government has promised to address law and order issues, with the armed forces assisting in maintaining civilian control as needed.
In addition to focusing on national reforms, Yunus expressed commitment to ensuring justice for the recent violence and upholding international legal obligations. His administration also plans to continue supporting Rohingya refugees and increase Bangladesh’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions.
As the interim government begins work, Yunus called on international partners to support Bangladesh’s transition to a more democratic future. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by students and the public during the recent uprisings, and stressed the need for a new beginning and a poverty-free, prosperous Bangladesh.
Case filed against Sheikh Hasina in 2013 ‘mass murder’ case
In a related development, an application has been filed in a Bangladeshi court to register a case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 33 others, accusing them of mass murder during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally in 2013. This adds to a growing list of 11 cases against Hasina, which include charges of murder, kidnapping and crimes against humanity, stemming from the violence that has claimed over 600 lives since mid-July.
The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal has launched an investigation against the former prime minister and nine others for genocide and crimes against humanity related to recent student protests.
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