Sheikh Hasina, Trump and Keir Starmer

It has been more than two days since Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death. But the surprising thing is that both America and Britain, which have given knowledge to the world on human rights, have not said a single word on this decision till now.

This silence also raises questions because ICT has been accused for a long time that neither the judicial process is transparent nor the basic principles of law are followed. Many experts and human rights groups also consider it politically influenced.

Amnesty International criticized

Meanwhile, Amnesty International strongly criticized this decision on 17 November. The organization clearly said that this trial and punishment is neither fair nor fair. He says that it is necessary to provide justice to the victims, but giving death penalty is not a solution but increases human rights violations. Amnesty described the death penalty as the most cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, which should have no place in any modern justice system.

America remained vocal on human rights violations

In the past, both these countries have been quite vocal and had spoken strongly against Sheikh Hasina’s previous government on human rights violations and other issues. Britain abolished the death penalty in 1998. In 2023, US Ambassador Peter Haas told Human Rights Watch that the US had serious concerns about the state of human rights and democracy in Bangladesh. In 2022, the US Embassy said that America is committed to protecting human rights and taking action against those who violate them.

Britain has already expressed concern

The British High Commission also said in 2023 that it is important to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2024, the British government said they would continue a constructive dialogue with the Bangladesh government and political parties. Recently Britain also released a long report on human rights violations by police and other law enforcement agencies.

In July 2024, 22 British MPs also expressed serious concern over the human rights situation in Bangladesh. This whole matter clearly shows that the international response has been slow and insensitive, while there have been different reactions within Bangladesh and in neighboring countries.