The interim government of Bangladesh has recently addressed an essential issue as they went to the Indian government in an official capacity for the extradition of the deposed Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Such a step was taken after a local tribunal in Bangladesh imposed the death penalty on Hasina for committing crimes against humanity. The information was presented by the Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammed Touhid Hossain, who, on the side, informed that the letter had been forwarded via the Bangladesh High Commission located in New Delhi.
It was later on revealed from the court’s judgement that Hasina had been sentenced to death and besides that the then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also included in the same bracket for their unproven links with the crimes. Hasina is presently staying in India, while Kamal is supposed to be somewhere in hiding there. This severe punishment to them is a result of their aledged cruel moves during the ‘July Uprising’ which caused the fall of Hasina’s rule.
The decision of the interim government to pursue the extradition of Hasina indicates their dedication to fairness and transparency. It is also a testimony of their willingness to deal with human rights violations and respect the law. Going after the criminals and taking care of the big boys is one of the goals that Bangladesh government has in its sight.
The fact that India not only acknowledged the extradition request but also promised to cooperate with the government and the people of Bangladesh in a constructive way bodes well for peace, democracy, and global security. Being so close geographically, India and Bangladesh have the same goal of being democratic, inclusive, and strong friends.
The pursuit of victims’ human rights requires the cooperation and collaboration of nations in correcting the past and preventing future wrongdoings, an extradition request and the subsequent episode being a case in point.
