No opportunity for convicted Sheikh Hasina to appeal, says Law Minister

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has indicated that Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted of crimes against humanity, will not get the opportunity to appeal even if she returns to the country.

He said there is no provision in the law for condoning the delay of those convicted in crimes against humanity cases.

The Law Minister said this in response to journalists' questions at an event held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon of the capital today, Saturday.

He also expressed hope of getting Sheikh Hasina back from India under the prisoner extradition treaty.

News recently surfaced that New Delhi has set two conditions for sending back Sheikh Hasina, who took refuge in India after being ousted from power in the July 2024 uprising, although the Indian government has not officially disclosed anything.

According to published reports, New Delhi has sought assurances from the Bangladesh government that Sheikh Hasina will get the opportunity to appeal against her death sentence.

The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death last year in a crimes against humanity case. The trial was held showing her as a fugitive in her absence.

According to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, an appeal must be filed with the Appellate Division within 30 days of the judgment being published. After this period, the appeal is not admissible.

When asked about the matter, Law Minister Asaduzzaman said, "In such cases, there is no scope for the Appellate Division to condone the delay. The special law has not left any scope for condonation. They themselves made that law."

He said that even the opportunity for fundamental rights of citizens under the Constitution will not remain in the case of Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted of crimes against humanity.

The Law Minister said, "Article 47(3) of our Constitution states that any person convicted of or accused of crimes against humanity cannot claim fundamental rights."

The Law Minister's statement means that if Sheikh Hasina returns to the country, her death sentence could be executed. Other BNP leaders have also been saying this.

Sheikh Hasina has announced that she will return to the country in December. News has been published that she has applied for a passport for this purpose. However, the government says she will not be given a passport as a convicted accused.

The Law Minister said, "Sheikh Hasina will come to Bangladesh through legal means. When she comes under the extradition treaty, that too is a legal process."

Dhaka has repeatedly requested the return of Sheikh Hasina under the prisoner extradition treaty signed between Bangladesh and India. However, Delhi has not yet responded to that request.