Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), stated that India is “almost legally bound” to return ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty.
In response to a query during a session at the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka, he stated, “We have an extradition treaty, and under that treaty, India is nearly legally obligated to return her.”
He stated that India, as a cordial neighbour, ought to honour Bangladesh’s legal procedures and promptly return Hasina.
“If India adheres to international norms and regulations, as well as the established international order, then it is expected that India, as a neighbouring country, will respect Bangladesh’s legal frameworks,” he stated.
The security analyst stated that Hasina's trial adhered to international legal standards. He noted that this is a legal system that should be respected by all our neighbours.
“If that respect is present,” he stated, “by all indications, Sheikh Hasina should be reinstated in Bangladesh.”
He enquired about India's potential response should Bangladesh provide refuge to convicted Indian nationals and refuse to return them despite official requests.
He stated, “If that is the case, anyone convicted under Bangladesh’s law by international standards, India is legally obligated to return the individual to Bangladesh.” Based on all available information, we request that New Delhi facilitate the return of Hasina to Bangladesh.
The plenary session titled ‘Fractured Orders, Fluid Loyalties: Power Politics in the Post-Alignment Age’ featured the participation of Julia Roknifard from Taylor’s University, Malaysia; Jovan Ratkovic from Agora Strategy Institute; Leonardo Paz Neves from the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Brazil; and Marian Vidaurri from Cornell University, USA. David Patrician from RTL Nord, Germany, facilitated the discussion.
Hasina's initial extradition request is still under consideration, although New Delhi has confirmed the receipt of Dhaka's official correspondence.
In light of the recent verdict, Bangladesh has formally requested that India “immediately hand over” Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both of whom have been convicted of crimes against humanity.
On November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 issued a death sentence to both individuals for their involvement in the atrocities committed during the mass uprising of July–August of the previous year.
“It would be a serious breach of diplomatic relations and a distortion of justice for any other nation to provide refuge to these individuals found guilty of crimes against humanity,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated following the verdict.
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