Sheikh Hasina’s Defiant Audio Ahead of Tribunal Verdict: “Allah Gave Me Life, I Fear No Verdict”

“Allah gave me life, and He alone will take it; I do not care!” Audio message from Sheikh Hasina before the verdict—what she said about the demand for a death sentence

Ahead of the verdict by Bangladesh’s International Tribunal, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued an audio message addressed to the people of the country and supporters of the Awami League. She stated that she does not care about the verdict. Because “Allah gave me life, and He alone will take it.” Sheik Hasina declared that her party will return even stronger in Bangladesh in the days to come.

Last July, there was a massive movement in Bangladesh against Sheikh Hasina’s government. Under pressure from the mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina had to resign. She left the country and fled to India. She has been in India ever since. From time to time, she delivers audio messages from there. These are published on the Awami League’s social media pages. On Sunday night, just a few hours before the International Tribunal’s verdict, Sheikh Hasina issued such a message. She harshly criticized the current interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

At least fifteen hundred people were killed in clashes between government forces and protesters during the July movement in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina has been charged with crimes against humanity. The political activities of her party, the Awami League, have been banned. Al-Mamun, a former senior officer of Bangladesh Police and one of the co-accused in the case against Sheikh Hasina, has turned state witness. The prosecution has presented multiple pieces of evidence and requested the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina. Awami League supporters believe that on Monday the International Tribunal will convict her. A death sentence may also be handed down. In her message to supporters, Sheikh Hasina said, “I am alive. I will live. I will work again for the welfare of the people. I will deliver justice to the soil of Bangladesh.”

Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, is also not worried about Sheikh Hasina’s possible death sentence. From the United States, he has stated that his mother may be given the death penalty. But she is safe in India. The Indian government has arranged her security. In her audio message, Sheikh Hasina brought a counter–genocide accusation against Yunus. She said, “The constitution of Bangladesh says that removing democratically elected representatives from power is a punishable offense. Yunus has done exactly that. It is he who deserves punishment. He is the one who ordered the killings.”

The main allegation against Sheikh Hasina is that she ordered the shooting on protesters. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh denies this accusation. She claims she never directly ordered anyone to kill. In the audio message, Sheikh Hasina claimed that the police had fired rubber bullets, which are not lethal. An autopsy report of the deceased would make it clear how they were killed. She also questioned why witness statements were not made public. She said, “Yunus is trying to destroy the Awami League. But it is not that easy. The Awami League has risen from the grassroots. Not from anyone’s pocket who seized power.”

Sheikh Hasina has also spoken out regarding the allegations of crimes against humanity brought against her. She said, “They are saying that I have committed crimes against humanity. I sheltered one million Rohingya. Is that a crime against humanity? And what kind of humanity is it when they shut the door on the victims?”

Regarding Monday’s verdict, Sheikh Hasina stated, “Let them announce the verdict. I do not care. Allah gave me this life. Allah alone will take it. I will keep working for the people.”