“We oppose the death penalty in all cases”- UN on Hasina verdict

Highlights

• The United Nations says it opposes the death penalty in all situations, without exception.
• Concerns were raised because the trial and sentencing took place in the absence of the accused.
• The UN acknowledges that the verdict is a significant moment for victims seeking justice after last year’s crackdown.
• Calls have been made for truth-seeking, accountability, compensation for victims, and security-sector reforms in Bangladesh.

The United Nations has stated that while it considers the verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to be significant, it opposes the decision of imposing the death penalty. In a statement released on Monday (17 November) by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was declared that “they oppose the death penalty under any circumstances.”
UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said,

আমরা বিচার প্রক্রিয়ার খুঁটিনাটি নিয়ে অবগত নই। আমাদের বরাবর দাবি ছিল, যে কোনও জবাবদিহিতামূলক কার্যক্রম যেন ন্যায়বিচার এবং যথাযথ আন্তর্জাতিক মানদণ্ডের সঙ্গে সামঞ্জস্যপূর্ণ হয়।
তবে, এখানে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয় ছিল যে, অভিযুক্তের অনুপস্থিতিতেই বিচার পরিচালনা করে মৃত্যুদণ্ডের রায় দেওয়া হয়েছে। আমরা দুঃখের সঙ্গে জানাচ্ছি যে, জাতিসংঘ সব পরিস্থিতিতেই মৃত্যুদণ্ডের বিরোধিতা করে।

Translation:
“We are not fully informed about the details of the judicial proceedings. Our consistent call has always been that any accountability process must align with justice and international due process standards.

However, a significant concern here is that the trial was conducted in the absence of the accused, leading to a death sentence. It is with regret that we reiterate that the United Nations opposes the death penalty in all situations.”

Yet, acknowledging the importance of the verdict for the victims, she added,