The interim government of Bangladesh, which is being led by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, has made a major decision to revoke the passport of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This decision was officially announced on Tuesday in the capital city of Dhaka.
In total, the government has canceled the passports of 97 people. This includes Sheikh Hasina and other individuals who are facing criminal charges in the country. The government’s action is part of ongoing investigations into various crimes.
Among those whose passports have been taken, 22 people are accused of being involved in forced disappearances, a serious crime where people are allegedly abducted and made to disappear. The remaining 75 people are facing charges related to killings that took place during student protests in Bangladesh last year.
These protests were marked by significant violence, and the government is holding these individuals accountable for their actions during that time.
Bangladesh Revokes Passports of 97 Individuals
On Tuesday, the Bangladesh Department of Immigration and Passports canceled the passports of 97 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This action was taken because these people are accused of being involved in serious crimes during the student protests that took place in July and August of the previous year. The crimes include forced disappearances and killings.
Azad Majumder, who is the Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, shared the details of this decision during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy.
According to The Daily Star, Majumder explained that 22 of the canceled passports were linked to people accused of being involved in forced disappearances. Forced disappearances happen when people are kidnapped and made to disappear without any legal process.
The remaining 75 people, including Sheikh Hasina, had their passports canceled because they are believed to have been involved in the violent events during the student protests. These protests, which were against the government, turned violent, and many people lost their lives. The government is holding these individuals responsible for the deaths and the chaos that occurred during the uprising.
Also Read: Adani Power Cuts Supply to Bangladesh Due to Unpaid Bills: Report
Bangladesh ICT Issues Arrest Warrants for Sheikh Hasina
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) recently issued arrest warrants for Sheikh Hasina and 11 others over allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her leadership. The tribunal has set a deadline of February 12 for the accused, including Hasina, to be arrested and brought before it.
The order was announced during a hearing on January 6. Among the accused are Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddique, former defence advisor to Hasina, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, and Ziaul Ahsan, former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC).
Violence erupted across Bangladesh after the fall of the Hasina government, resulting in over 230 deaths. The ongoing unrest, sparked by student protests against a controversial government job quota system in mid-July, has led to a total of more than 600 fatalities.
Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 of last year and sought refuge in India.
Also Read: Bangladesh Chief Justice To Resign as Protesters Surround Court, Issue Ultimatum
FAQs
Q.1. Why were Sheikh Hasina’s and others’ passports revoked?
Ans. Their passports were canceled due to accusations of involvement in forced disappearances and killings during the violent student protests in Bangladesh last year.
Q.2. How many people had their passports revoked in Bangladesh?
Ans. A total of 97 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had their passports revoked by the Bangladesh government.
Q.3. What charges are being faced by those whose passports were revoked?
Ans. The individuals are accused of being involved in forced disappearances and killings during the student protests that occurred in Bangladesh in 2024.
Q.4. What happened during the student protests in Bangladesh last year?
Ans. The student protests against the government turned violent, leading to over 600 fatalities, with the government now holding people accountable for their involvement in the deaths.
Q.5. What action has the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) taken against Sheikh Hasina?
Ans. The ICT issued arrest warrants for Sheikh Hasina and 11 others over alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, with a deadline for their arrest set for February 12.
