Bangladesh Seeks Sheikh Hasina's Extradition from India

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Facts

  • Bangladesh is seeking to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, where she fled on Aug. 5 following mass protests against her.[1][2]
  • Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, said on Sunday that Hasina will be tried for 'mass killings' that allegedly took place during the student-led protests.[3]
  • Nurjahan Begum, health adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, has claimed that over 1K people were killed during the violent demonstrations.[4]
  • Hasina had set up the tribunal — now set to investigate her — in 2010, to probe crimes that took place during Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Her government signed an extradition treaty with India in 2013.[5]
  • The treaty has a clause allowing either country to refuse extradition if the offense is political. Dhaka, under the current interim government, has revoked Hasina's diplomatic passport.[6]
  • The 76-year-old Hasina hasn't publicly appeared since she left the country by helicopter. Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has asked Hasina to 'keep quiet' while exiled in India.[1]

Sources: [1]Alarabiya, [2]Business, [3]Abplive, [4]NDTV.com, [5]Al Jazeera and [6]Samaa.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. India must act swiftly and hand Sheikh Hasina over to Bangladesh so she can face justice for her alleged crimes. With growing demands for accountability coming from victims and political opponents, India's continued harboring of Hasina risks further straining its relations with Bangladesh. It's time for New Delhi to help restore trust and stability between the two nations.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Asia Times. As Bangladesh confronts its past, it needs to avoid vindictiveness against Hasina and refrain from victimizing her. While those who suffered enforced disappearances deserve justice and truth, healing requires balance and compassion. Pursuing retribution against a former leader could deepen divisions and impede reconciliation. Bangladesh must avoid taking the easy path.

Predictions