Sheikh Hasina Verdict Proves No One Is Above the Law: Chief Adviser Dr Yunus

Interim government’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has said that the court verdict against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina—now ousted from power and absconding—and her close associates proves that no one in Bangladesh is above the law, regardless of their position or authority.

He made the remarks on Monday in a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

Dr Yunus said the clear stance taken by the Bangladeshi judiciary has resonated not only within the country but also internationally. Although the ruling may not fully compensate for the suffering of thousands who were killed or injured during the July–August 2024 mass uprising, he called it a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice.

He noted that years of repression have weakened Bangladesh’s democratic foundations, and the nation now stands at a critical juncture of rebuilding. The order to use lethal force against unarmed civilians was not only a breach of the law but also shattered the trust between the state and its citizens, he observed.

According to the Chief Adviser, nearly 1,400 people were killed during the uprising. “They were not mere numbers—they were students, parents, children and citizens with rights,” he said. Testimony presented to the court over several months detailed how unarmed protesters were fired upon—even from helicopters. The verdict, he added, acknowledges their immense suffering, loss and sacrifice, and reinforces that there can be no compromise when it comes to justice.

Dr Yunus stated that Bangladesh is once again aligning itself with global standards of transparency and accountability. The sacrifices made by those who took to the streets demanding change are paving the way for a new future. Rebuilding trust between citizens and state institutions, alongside legal accountability, is now the most urgent challenge, he said.

He expressed confidence that Bangladesh will face the future with courage and humility. With a firm commitment to the rule of law, human rights and the potential of every citizen, he said, justice in the country will not only be sustained but ultimately prevail.

Earlier, the International Crimes Tribunal–1 sentenced Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July–August 2024 mass uprising.
In the same case, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who cooperated as a state witness, was given a reduced sentence of five years.