The United Nations has expressed regret over the death sentence awarded to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, the UN says that this decision of the Bangladeshi court is an important moment for the victims.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres, said in the daily press conference here on Monday (November 17, 2025) that Antonio Guterres completely agrees with the stance of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk that we are against the use of death penalty under any circumstances.

Stephane Dujarric was asked about the reaction of the UN Secretary General on the death sentence given to Sheikh Hasina in his absence, in response to which he said this. Sheikh Hasina has been accused of firing drones and helicopters at students protesting democratically during the coup in Bangladesh last year.

After Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August 2024, interim PM Mohammad Yunus constituted a special tribunal to review the atrocities during her tenure. In a 453-page verdict on Monday, a three-member bench headed by Justice Ghulam Murtaza Mojumdar held Sheikh Hasina guilty of instigating, ordering murder and failure to prevent crimes.

Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since the fall of her government in Bangladesh on August 5 last year, has been sentenced to death in absentia by the tribunal. Sheikh Hasina’s aide and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has also been sentenced to death on similar charges.

Raveena Shamdasani, the UN human rights spokesperson in Geneva, said in a statement that the tribunal’s verdict against Sheikh Hasina and the former interior minister is an important moment for victims of grave violations committed during the repression of protests last year. He said, ‘We also regret the imposition of death penalty, which we oppose in all circumstances.

The International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) of Dhaka has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for the killings in the 2024 student movement. The court says that Hasina instigated violence and gave orders to kill. In the same case, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan also got death sentence, while former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun was given 5 years in jail. The court has also ordered to confiscate the property of Hasina and Khan.

Both the leaders are currently in India for 15 months. Hasina has called the decision political and biased. This decision has come at a time when Hasina has been in exile in India for the last one year. Now the big question is what ways forward are left for them?

What is the matter?
After a lengthy trial, the International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh ruled that Sheikh Hasina was directly responsible for the violence during the 2024 student-led movement. The court acknowledged that he had ordered security forces to use ‘harsh and lethal force’. This decision was pronounced in her absence because she has been living in India since August 2024.

How big was the scale of violence?
The situation had worsened during the student protests in 2024. According to a United Nations report, 1,400 people were feared dead and thousands injured during the protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024. This violence is said to be the worst unrest in Bangladesh since the 1971 independence war.

Hasina’s exile
This protest started when student organizations first intensified their demand for improvement in the job quota system and later for Hasina’s resignation. The violence began to escalate rapidly and on August 5, 2024, protesters started moving towards the PM’s residence, just hours before which Hasina left for India. After his departure, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, which was given the responsibility of restoring order and holding elections, but the process of major political reforms has been slow and elections are planned to be held in February.

Ban on Awami League and tense atmosphere
Hasina’s party Awami League has not been allowed to participate in the upcoming elections. Analysts believe that the death penalty decision could give rise to new unrest in the country, especially when elections are near. In recent times, incidents like throwing of crude bombs and burning of vehicles have come to light in different parts of the country.

What happened in the trial?
The prosecution told the court that they have found evidence which proves that Hasina directly ordered the use of lethal force to suppress the movement. The court had appointed a government lawyer for Hasina, who told the court that the allegations were false and she should be acquitted. Before the decision, Hasina herself had said that this entire process is “not fair” and the decision is already decided.

What options does Sheikh Hasina have now?
appeal to supreme court
This decision can be appealed in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. If the appeal is accepted, it could open the way for the sentence to be overturned or reduced.

garnering political and international support
Hasina is continuously claiming that the matter is motivated by political vendetta. They can try to get support from international organizations, human rights groups and allied countries.

applying political pressure through exile
Because of his residence in India, he is not in danger of immediate arrest. She can organize her party and supporters even while in exile.

Waiting for a new political equation
Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wajed has said that he will appeal only if a democratically elected government is formed and the Awami League is allowed to participate in the political process.

contest extradition
If the Bangladesh government asks for his extradition, they can oppose it on legal and political grounds in India. This process can be long and complicated.