Latest news with #BangladeshProtests
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Sheikh Hasina authorised deadly Bangladesh crackdown, leaked audio suggests
A deadly crackdown on student-led protests in Bangladesh last year was authorised by then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, according to audio of one of her phone calls verified by BBC the audio, which was leaked online in March, Hasina says she authorised her security forces to "use lethal weapons" against protesters and that "wherever they find [them], they will shoot".Prosecutors in Bangladesh plan to use the recording as crucial evidence against Hasina, who is being tried in absentia at a special tribunal for crimes against to 1,400 people died in last summer's unrest, according to UN investigators. Hasina, who fled to India, and her party reject all charges against her. A spokesperson for her Awami League party denied the tape showed any "unlawful intention" of "disproportionate response". The leaked audio of Hasina's conversation with an unidentified senior government official is the most significant evidence yet that she gave direct authorisation to shoot anti-government protesters, tens of thousands of whom had taken to the streets by last protests began against civil service job quotas for relatives of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence and escalated into a mass movement that ousted Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years. It the worst violence Bangladesh had seen since the 1971 of the bloodiest scenes occurred on 5 August, the day Hasina fled by helicopter before crowds stormed her residence in Dhaka. The BBC World Service investigation established previously unreported details about a police massacre of protesters in the capital - including a much higher death toll. Hasina was at her residence in Dhaka, known as the Ganabhaban, for the duration of the call which took place on 18 July, a source with knowledge of the leaked audio told the was a crucial moment in the demonstrations. Security officials were responding to public outrage at police killings of protesters captured on video and shared across social media. In the days following the call, military-grade rifles were deployed and used across Dhaka, according to police documents seen by the recording the BBC examined is one of numerous calls involving Sheikh Hasina that were made by the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC), a Bangladeshi government body responsible for monitoring audio of the call was leaked in early March this year - it's unclear by whom. Since the protests, numerous clips of Hasina's calls have appeared online, many of them leaked 18 July recording was voice matched by the Criminal Investigation Department in the Bangladesh Police with known audio of Sheikh Hasina's BBC conducted its own independent verification by sharing the recording with audio forensics experts Earshot, who found no evidence the speech had been edited or manipulated and said it was highly unlikely to have been synthetically said the leaked recording was likely to have been taken in a room with the phone call played back on a speaker, due to the presence of distinctive telephonic frequencies and background sounds. Earshot identified Electric Network Frequency (ENF) throughout the recording, a frequency that's often present in audio recordings due to interference between a recording device and mains-powered equipment, an indicator that the audio has not been also analysed Sheikh Hasina's speech – the rhythm, intonation and breath sounds - and identified consistent noise floor levels, finding no evidence of synthetic artefacts in the audio."The recordings are critical for establishing her role, they are clear and have been properly authenticated, and are supported by other evidence," British international human rights barrister Toby Cadman told the BBC. He is advising Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), the court hearing cases against Hasina and Awami League spokesperson said: "We cannot confirm whether the tape recording referenced by the BBC is authentic." Alongside Sheikh Hasina, former government and police officials have been implicated in the killings of protesters. A total of 203 individuals have been indicted by the ICT, of whom 73 are in Eye analysed and verified hundreds of videos, images and documents detailing police attacks against demonstrators across 36 investigation found that in one incident on 5 August in Jatrabari, a busy Dhaka neighbourhood, at least 52 people were killed by police, making it one of the worst incidents of police violence in Bangladesh's history. Initial reports at the time suggested 30 dead in Jatrabari on that day. Outside the UK, watch on YouTube The BBC investigation uncovered new details about how the massacre started and eyewitness footage, CCTV and drone imagery, BBC Eye established that police opened fire indiscriminately on protesters immediately after army personnel, who were separating the police from the protesters, vacated the more than 30 minutes the police shot at fleeing protesters as they tried to escape down alleyways and on the highway, before the police officers sought shelter in a nearby army camp. At least six police officers were also killed as protesters retaliated hours later, setting fire to the Jatrabari police station.A spokesperson for the Bangladesh Police told the BBC that 60 police officers had been arrested for their role in the violence in July and August last year."There were regrettable incidents in which certain members of the then police force engaged in excessive use of force," said the spokesperson. "Bangladesh Police has launched thorough and impartial investigations." Sheikh Hasina's trial began last month. She has been charged with committing crimes against humanity, including issuing orders that led to mass killings and targeted violence against civilians, as well as incitement, conspiracy and failure to prevent mass has so far failed to comply with a Bangladeshi request for her extradition. It is unlikely that Hasina will return to the country for the trial, Mr Cadman Awami League maintains that its leaders are not liable for the force used against protesters."The Awami League categorically denies and rejects claims that some of its senior leaders, including the prime minister herself, were personally responsible for or directed the use of lethal force against crowds," a spokesperson for the party said."The decisions made by senior government officials were proportionate in nature, made in good faith and intended to minimise the loss of life."The party has rejected the findings of United Nations investigators, who said they had found reasonable grounds to believe the actions of Hasina and her government could amount to crimes against BBC approached the Bangladesh army for comment but did not receive a Hasina's fall, Bangladesh has been ruled by an interim government led by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad government is preparing for national elections. It's unclear if the Awami League will be allowed to contest the vote.
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
After the revolution, Bangladesh warms to China as India fumes
Protests in Bangladesh that toppled the government last year triggered a diplomatic pivot, with Dhaka warming towards China after neighbouring India was angered by the ousting of its old ally Sheikh Hasina. One year since the protests, that realignment risks intensifying polarisation -- and fears of external interference -- as political parties in Bangladesh jostle for influence ahead of elections next year. For the caretaker government, seeking domestic consensus for overhauling democratic institutions in the country of 170 million people, it is another challenge to juggle. "India-Bangladesh relations have probably never experienced such intense strain before," said New Delhi-based analyst Praveen Donthi, from the International Crisis Group. There is deep resentment in Dhaka over the fate of fugitive ex-prime minister Hasina, who escaped a student-led uprising by helicopter in August 2024 and flew to New Delhi as thousands of protesters stormed her palace. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said popular anger in Muslim-majority Bangladesh had been "transferred over to India" because Hasina was offered sanctuary by New Delhi's Hindu nationalist government. Hasina, 77, has defied extradition orders to attend her crimes against humanity trial, and has already been convicted in absentia for contempt of court with a six-month sentence. - 'Readjustment' - Md Touhid Hossain, who heads Bangladesh's foreign ministry, said that "the relationship is now at the readjustment stage". Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus's first state visit was to China in March, a trip that saw him secure $2.1 billion in investments, loans and grants. Beijing has also courted leading politicians directly. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- the expected election frontrunner -- said China is "keen" to work with the next elected government with "sincerity, steadfastness, love, and affection". India has long been wary of China's growing regional clout and the world's two most populous countries compete for influence in South Asia, despite a recent diplomatic thaw. Bangladesh has also moved closer to Pakistan, India's arch-enemy. In May, more than 70 people were killed in four days of missile, drone and artillery fire between the forces of New Delhi and Islamabad, sparked by a deadly militant attack on civilians in India-administered Kashmir. The following month, officials from Dhaka and Islamabad met counterparts in China. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the trio had agreed to "cooperation programmes" including in trade, industry, education and agriculture. Obaidul Haque, who teaches international relations at the University of Dhaka, said talks with Beijing had "borne fruit", including alternative healthcare after once popular medical tourism to India was restricted. "For example, China designated three hospitals for Bangladeshi patients when India made access difficult," he said. - 'Tread carefully' - Bangladesh and Pakistan -- which split in 1971 after Dhaka's independence war -- began trade by sea last year, with direct flights also slated. That sparked worry in New Delhi. "The current Indian political leadership, owing to its ideological foundations... are unwilling to accept Dhaka under a government they perceive as Islamist and hostile towards India," Donthi said. "The visible engagement between Dhaka, Islamabad, and Beijing enhances this perception further." Both New Delhi and Bangladesh have imposed trade restrictions on each other. India, which encircles much of Bangladesh by land, has imposed multiple trade restrictions -- including tightening rules on Indian imports of jute fibres, ready-made garments, plastic products and food. But trade between the neighbouring nations remains high, said Md Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladeshi ambassador to Washington, who has also served in India. But he urged caution, saying Dhaka should "tread carefully forming alliances", and seek to strengthen "multilateral relations" as a balance. "Cooperation still exists between the countries, but the warmth is gone," he said. - 'Attempts to undermine' - Separately, Bangladesh, the world's second-largest garment exporter, has also been caught in the global shakeup caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Dhaka is proposing to buy Boeing planes and boost imports of US wheat, cotton and oil in a bid to reduce the trade deficit, with Yunus in June telling US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of his "commitment to strengthening" ties. But in terms of regional tensions, analysts say little will change soon -- and warn they have the potential to escalate. "Things might change only if New Delhi is satisfied with the electoral process and sees somebody amenable to it come to power in Dhaka," the Crisis Group's Donthi added. "It is very unlikely that their position will change towards the current government in Dhaka," he said. "There may be attempts to undermine it rather than to collaborate."
Japan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
After the revolution, Bangladesh warms to China as India fumes
Protests in Bangladesh that toppled the government last year triggered a diplomatic pivot, with Dhaka warming toward China after neighboring India was angered by the ousting of its old ally Sheikh Hasina. One year since the protests, that realignment risks intensifying polarization — and fears of external interference — as political parties in Bangladesh jostle for influence ahead of elections next year. For the caretaker government, seeking domestic consensus for overhauling democratic institutions in the country of 170 million people, it is another challenge to juggle. "India-Bangladesh relations have probably never experienced such intense strain before," said New Delhi-based analyst Praveen Donthi, from the International Crisis Group. There is deep resentment in Dhaka over the fate of fugitive ex-Prime Minister Hasina, who escaped a student-led uprising by helicopter in August last year and flew to New Delhi as thousands of protesters stormed her palace. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said popular anger in Muslim-majority Bangladesh had been "transferred over to India" because Hasina was offered sanctuary by New Delhi's Hindu nationalist government. Hasina, 77, has defied extradition orders to attend her crimes against humanity trial, and has already been convicted in absentia for contempt of court with a six-month sentence. 'Readjustment' Md Touhid Hossain, who heads Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry, said that "the relationship is now at the readjustment stage." Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus's first state visit was to China in March, a trip that saw him secure $2.1 billion in investments, loans and grants. Beijing has also courted leading politicians directly. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — the expected election front-runner — said China is "keen" to work with the next elected government with "sincerity, steadfastness, love and affection." Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, speaks during the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in southern China's Hainan province on March 27. | AFP-JIJI India has long been wary of China's growing regional clout and the world's two most populous countries compete for influence in South Asia, despite a recent diplomatic thaw. Bangladesh has also moved closer to Pakistan, India's archenemy. In May, more than 70 people were killed in four days of missile, drone and artillery fire between the forces of New Delhi and Islamabad, sparked by a deadly militant attack on civilians in India-administered Kashmir. The following month, officials from Dhaka and Islamabad met counterparts in China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the trio had agreed to "cooperation programs" including in trade, industry, education and agriculture. Obaidul Haque, who teaches international relations at the University of Dhaka, said talks with Beijing had "borne fruit," including alternative health care after once-popular medical tourism to India was restricted. "For example, China designated three hospitals for Bangladeshi patients when India made access difficult," he said. 'Tread carefully' Bangladesh and Pakistan — which split in 1971 after Dhaka's independence war — began trade by sea last year, with direct flights also slated. That sparked worry in New Delhi. "The current Indian political leadership, owing to its ideological foundations ... are unwilling to accept Dhaka under a government they perceive as Islamist and hostile towards India," Donthi said. "The visible engagement between Dhaka, Islamabad, and Beijing enhances this perception further." Both New Delhi and Bangladesh have imposed trade restrictions on each other. India, which encircles much of Bangladesh by land, has imposed multiple trade restrictions — including tightening rules on Indian imports of jute fibers, ready-made garments, plastic products and food. But trade between the neighboring nations remains high, said Md Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladeshi ambassador to Washington, who has also served in India. However, he urged caution, saying Dhaka should "tread carefully forming alliances," and seek to strengthen "multilateral relations" as a balance. "Cooperation still exists between the countries, but the warmth is gone," he said. 'Attempts to undermine' Separately, Bangladesh, the world's second-largest garment exporter, has also been caught in the global shakeup caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Dhaka is proposing to buy Boeing planes and boost imports of U.S. wheat, cotton and oil in a bid to reduce the trade deficit, with Yunus in June telling U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of his "commitment to strengthening" ties. But in terms of regional tensions, analysts say little will change soon — and warn they have the potential to escalate. "Things might change only if New Delhi is satisfied with the electoral process and sees somebody amenable to it come to power in Dhaka," the Crisis Group's Donthi added. "It is very unlikely that their position will change towards the current government in Dhaka," he said. "There may be attempts to undermine it rather than to collaborate."
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Bangladesh's China pivot puts its India ties under ‘intense strain'
Protests in Bangladesh that toppled the government last year triggered a diplomatic pivot, with Dhaka warming towards China after neighbouring India was angered by the ousting of its old ally Sheikh Hasina. One year since the protests, that realignment risks intensifying polarisation – and fears of external interference – as political parties in Bangladesh jostle for influence ahead of elections next year. For the caretaker government, seeking domestic consensus for overhauling democratic institutions in the country of 170 million people, it is another challenge to juggle. 'India-Bangladesh relations have probably never experienced such intense strain before,' said New Delhi-based analyst Praveen Donthi, from the International Crisis Group. There is deep resentment in Dhaka over the fate of fugitive ex-prime minister Hasina , who escaped a student-led uprising by helicopter in August 2024 and flew to New Delhi as thousands of protesters stormed her palace. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said popular anger in Muslim-majority Bangladesh had been 'transferred over to India ' because Hasina was offered sanctuary by New Delhi's Hindu nationalist government.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Bangladesh warms to China, Pakistan after revolution as India fumes
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Protests in Bangladesh that toppled the government last year triggered a diplomatic pivot, with Dhaka warming toward China after neighboring India was angered by the ousting of its old ally Sheikh Hasina. One year since the protests, that realignment risks intensifying polarization — and fears of external interference — as political parties in Bangladesh jostle for influence ahead of elections next year. For the caretaker government, seeking domestic consensus for overhauling democratic institutions in the country of 170 million people, it is another challenge to juggle. 'India-Bangladesh relations have probably never experienced such intense strain before,' said New Delhi-based analyst Praveen Donthi, from the International Crisis Group. There is deep resentment in Dhaka over the fate of fugitive ex-prime minister Hasina, who escaped a student-led uprising by helicopter in August 2024 and flew to New Delhi as thousands of protesters stormed her palace. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said popular anger in Muslim-majority Bangladesh had been 'transferred over to India' because Hasina was offered sanctuary by New Delhi's Hindu nationalist government. Hasina, 77, has defied extradition orders to attend her crimes against humanity trial, and has already been convicted in absentia for contempt of court with a six-month sentence. Md Touhid Hossain, who heads Bangladesh's foreign ministry, said that 'the relationship is now at the readjustment stage.' Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus's first state visit was to China in March, a trip that saw him secure $2.1 billion in investments, loans and grants. Beijing has also courted leading politicians directly. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — the expected election frontrunner — said China is 'keen' to work with the next elected government with 'sincerity, steadfastness, love, and affection.' India has long been wary of China's growing regional clout and the world's two most populous countries compete for influence in South Asia, despite a recent diplomatic thaw. Bangladesh has also moved closer to Pakistan, India's arch-enemy. In May, more than 70 people were killed in four days of missile, drone and artillery fire between the forces of New Delhi and Islamabad, sparked by a deadly militant attack on civilians in India-administered Kashmir. The following month, officials from Dhaka and Islamabad met counterparts in China. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the trio had agreed to 'cooperation programs' including in trade, industry, education and agriculture. Obaidul Haque, who teaches international relations at the University of Dhaka, said talks with Beijing had 'borne fruit,' including alternative health care after once popular medical tourism to India was restricted. 'For example, China designated three hospitals for Bangladeshi patients when India made access difficult,' he said. Bangladesh and Pakistan — which split in 1971 after Dhaka's independence war — began trade by sea last year, with direct flights also slated. That sparked worry in New Delhi. 'The current Indian political leadership, owing to its ideological foundations... are unwilling to accept Dhaka under a government they perceive as Islamist and hostile toward India,' Donthi said. 'The visible engagement between Dhaka, Islamabad, and Beijing enhances this perception further.' Both New Delhi and Bangladesh have imposed trade restrictions on each other. India, which encircles much of Bangladesh by land, has imposed multiple trade restrictions — including tightening rules on Indian imports of jute fibers, ready-made garments, plastic products and food. But trade between the neighboring nations remains high, said Md Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladeshi ambassador to Washington, who has also served in India. But he urged caution, saying Dhaka should 'tread carefully forming alliances,' and seek to strengthen 'multilateral relations' as a balance. 'Cooperation still exists between the countries, but the warmth is gone,' he said. Separately, Bangladesh, the world's second-largest garment exporter, has also been caught in the global shakeup caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Dhaka is proposing to buy Boeing planes and boost imports of US wheat, cotton and oil in a bid to reduce the trade deficit, with Yunus in June telling US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of his 'commitment to strengthening' ties. But in terms of regional tensions, analysts say little will change soon — and warn they have the potential to escalate. 'Things might change only if New Delhi is satisfied with the electoral process and sees somebody amenable to it come to power in Dhaka,' the Crisis Group's Donthi added. 'It is very unlikely that their position will change toward the current government in Dhaka,' he said. 'There may be attempts to undermine it rather than to collaborate.'
