Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday told Parliament that the government wants former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to be extradited to Bangladesh under the existing extradition agreement, saying she will be arrested immediately upon her return as she has already been convicted in several cases.
"We want her to be sent back under the extradition agreement so that she faces trial," he said, participating in a discussion on the July 2024 mass uprising in Parliament.
Referring to the legal stance, Salahuddin said Sheikh Hasina will have no opportunity to surrender as she is already a convicted person. "If she returns, she will be arrested immediately, and the verdicts will be executed. If there is any scope for appeal, that will be decided by the court," he said.
The discussion was initiated after National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker Akhter Hossen (Rangpur-4) raised a notice under Rule 68 of the Rules of Procedure seeking a discussion on the July 2024 mass uprising and the trial of those responsible for the alleged genocide committed during the movement.
Five other NCP lawmakers – Abdul Hannan Masud (Noakhali-6), Abdullah Al Amin (Narayanganj-4), Md Abul Hasnat (Cumilla-4), Mahmuda Alam Mitu (Women Seat-46) and Nusrat Tabassum Joty (Women Seat-50) – signed the notice.
The minister said Awami League will be tried as a political party for its involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, as investigation now continues in this regard.
To expedite the trial proceedings in cases related to crimes against humanity, he said, "If necessary, the number of tribunals, prosecutors, investigation teams and logistic support will be increased. Our foremost objective is to establish justice in this country."
Citing a UN report, Salahuddin said around 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising. However, the government believes the actual number might exceed 2,000, while around 30,000 people were injured, pledging to ensure justice for all victims.
He said the government has already announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will open the July Memorial Museum on August 5 next.
The minister also said any July uprising victims requiring treatment abroad will receive priority support, while the July Foundation will continue its operations and expand services for victims and their families.
He urged all political parties not to claim exclusive ownership of the July movement. "The July uprising belongs to all Bangladeshis. We should preserve its spirit without turning it into a political tool," he said, adding that future generations should learn from the events so that no government dares to adopt fascist practices again.
Responding to criticism of some media outlets by the opposition leader, Salahuddin said freedom of speech and media freedom must be protected. “We will respond to criticism in the media through facts and democratic means," he said.
He also stressed that the government and opposition remain united on issues relating to Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty despite political differences inside Parliament.
Expressing concern over delays in the trial process, Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman warned that the nation will not tolerate any procrastination in delivering justice for the July killings.
"If anyone delays the trial process, I will be a complainant against them in the hereafter," he said, underscoring the need for impartiality. “The trial must take place. But at the same time, no one should face injustice in the name of justice. The trial must be fair."
Criticising a section of the media, Shafiqur Rahman alleged that many media outlets had helped prolong the previous "autocratic regime."
"We do not know what action has been taken against those media outlets. Rather, they have again become active in spreading narratives. Some are making statements that amount to sedition, but no attention is being paid to these issues,” he said.
Referring to the referendum, the opposition leader said the people had given their verdict in favour of reforms and urged the government to positively consider and implement that public mandate.
Taking part in the discussion, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said there will be no legal scope for Sheikh Hasina or other convicted persons to surrender voluntarily upon returning to Bangladesh.
"They will be arrested the moment they enter Bangladesh," he said, adding that those who believe in the spirit of July will never allow the rehabilitation of what he termed the "fascist Awami League."
Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, State Minister Nurul Haque and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmakers Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem and Rokeya Begum (Women Seat-45), also mother of martyred Jabir Ibrahim, also joined the discussion.
In the notice, Akhter Hossen said the month of July is underway. In this month of 2024, a bloody mass uprising took place in Bangladesh, through which Bangladesh was freed from the long-standing misrule of the fascist regime.
He said people from all walks of life participated in the movement, during which many were injured, permanently maimed and martyred.
“It is important to honour the sacrifice of those people and their recognition in this Jatiya Sangsad. Simultaneously, there is a need to discuss the proper trial and punishment of those who participated in the genocide in July 2024,” said Akhter Hossen.
