1,400 lives lost in student uprising: Can UN’s call for calm after Hasina’s sentencing restore peace?

The United Nations has expressed regret over the death sentence imposed on former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, while emphasising the need for accountability in cases of crimes against humanity.

Hasina, 78, has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh during mass protests in August 2024. She was sentenced in absentia to be hanged over her role in a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising, in which up to 1,400 people were killed, according to the UN.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, welcomed the verdicts but stressed that all proceedings involving international crimes must fully meet standards of due process and fair trial. “This is particularly vital when, as was the case here, the trials have been conducted in absentia and led to a capital punishment sentence,” she said. “We … regret the imposition of the death penalty, which we oppose in all circumstances.”

UN rights chief Volker Turk urged Bangladesh to pursue a comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparations, and justice as a pathway to national reconciliation and healing. He highlighted that this should include meaningful security sector reform respecting international standards to prevent such violations in the future. The UN rights office also offered support to Bangladesh and called for calm and restraint following the verdicts.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus hailed the tribunal’s ruling as a reaffirmation of the principle that “no one, regardless of power, is above the law.” He described the verdict as providing justice to the thousands harmed during the July–August 2024 uprising. “The crimes at issue — the ordering of lethal force against young people and children whose only weapons were their voices — violated both our laws and the basic bond between government and citizens,” Yunus said.

The International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD) sentenced Hasina and her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who is also believed to be in India, to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. Yunus stressed that the verdict recognised the suffering of victims: “As many as 1,400 lives were lost. They were not statistics but students, parents, and citizens with rights. Months of testimony detailed how lethal force, even from helicopters, was used against unarmed protesters. This verdict recognises their suffering and confirms that our justice system will hold perpetrators accountable.”

Hasina, in response, denied the charges as “biased and politically motivated” and described the tribunal as “rigged” and presided over by an “unelected government with no democratic mandate.” She stated that the judgment was unfair and challenged the interim government to present the charges before the International Criminal Court.

The interim government called the verdict “historic” and urged citizens to remain calm, restrained, and responsible. “Everyone is specifically requested to refrain from any kind of disorder, provocative behaviour, violence or unlawful activities in the post-verdict period,” the statement said. It also warned that any attempts to disrupt public order would be strictly suppressed.

The UN and Bangladesh authorities emphasised accountability, justice, and public order, highlighting both the legal and humanitarian dimensions of the historic verdict.