Bangladesh Revokes Sheikh Hasina's Passport Amid Genocide Charges

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In a significant move, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has revoked the passport of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This decision comes in light of allegations against Hasina for her supposed involvement in killings and forced disappearances during protests last year.

In total, the passports of 97 individuals were revoked, with 22 linked directly to enforced disappearances and 75 tied to violent incidents that occurred during the student protests. This action follows an arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Hasina and eleven others for crimes against humanity. The tribunal has set a deadline of February 12 for their apprehension.

The ICT's chairman emphasized the need for thorough investigations into the allegations. Reports indicate that during Hasina’s 15-year leadership, widespread human rights abuses occurred, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of political opponents. Following her ousting last August, Hasina fled to India.

There have been over 230 fatalities attributed to violence in Bangladesh that erupted after her government was overthrown. The interim government claims to have received 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearances during Hasina’s tenure, with a significant proportion of victims still unaccounted for.

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