India: Leader of Bangladesh’s interim government and Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus said on Sunday that his administration will seek the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, where she has been in exile since a massive uprising in August.
In a televised address to the nation marking the first 100 days of his term, Yunus said the interim government would prosecute those responsible, including Hasina, for hundreds of deaths during the student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule. Yunus took office on August 8, three days after Hasina fled the country.
He said not only the deaths in the uprising, but all other violations of human rights, including alleged enforced disappearances during Hasina’s time in power, would be investigated. Bangladesh has sought help from global police organisation Interpol in issuing a red notice for the arrest of Hasina and her aides.
“We will seek the return of fallen dictator Sheikh Hasina from India,” Yunus said. “I have already discussed the issue with International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan.”
While Hasina and her close aides face several criminal charges in the country, the Yunus-led government is also pressing for the ICC to take up the case. Yunus said the most important task of his government is to hold a fresh election to hand over power to an elected government, but did not give any time frame. He said his administration would first bring reforms in various sectors, including the electoral system. He promised that once the electoral reforms are completed, a roadmap for fresh elections will be unveiled.
