Sheikh Hasina seeks right to defend in court as she eyes December return to Bangladesh

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has revealed that she plans to return to Dhaka in December this year. The ousted premier shared her plans in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18. When asked how she is planning to make her political comeback, Hasina did not reveal much but said that the decision will be taken responsibly.

The Awami League supremo also made it clear that there have been no “backchannel talks” with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is currently governing the country. “There is no question of backchannel talks with those who persecuted us,” the former Bangladeshi prime minister told CNN-News18.

Hasina maintained that upon return, she expects personal security, access to lawyers, the right to defend herself, an independent judiciary, transparent proceedings and a fair trial from the Bangladesh government. She made it clear that the decision to return was hers, calling India a “friend”. “India is a friend, and Bangladesh is my motherland. I cannot stay outside my country forever,” she remarked.

Hasina to return to Bangladesh in December

While speaking to CNN-News18, Hasina revealed that she is planning to return to Dhaka in December. “Bangladesh is my country. I have spent my entire political life with the people of Bangladesh. I have faced imprisonment, persecution, assassination attempts and repeated threats. I did not enter politics with the intention of staying outside my country when my people are going through one of the most difficult periods in their history,” she averred.

“That is why I intend to return. I want to stand with my people during this serious situation. I am prepared to face the courts and defend myself. But justice cannot mean a predetermined verdict.” When asked how the move will materialise, Hasina said that they are in a planning phase and the decision will be taken responsibly.

“Since August 2024, Awami League leaders, workers and ordinary supporters have faced arrests, false cases, dismissal from jobs, attacks, threats and violence. Many have been forced to leave their homes. Many have had to leave the country. They are not criminals; they are victims of political persecution,” she said.

“Who returns first, whether leaders return together or in phases — these are practical and organisational matters. The decision will be taken responsibly. But the political principle is clear: We will not abandon Bangladesh. We will not abandon our people. We will not abandon the democratic struggle. The Awami League will return to the people because our politics is connected to the people,” the former Bangladeshi premier added.

‘No backchannel talks with BNP’

Hasina made it clear that the decision to return to Bangladesh was her own and there have been no backchannel talks with PM Tarique Rahman’s BNP. “My decision to return is my own and is a matter of political discussion within my party. I have no political agreement with the government in Dhaka,” she told CNN-News18.

“There is no question of becoming a partner in any secret agreement with those who banned the Awami League, filed thousands of cases against our leaders and turned the judiciary into a weapon of political revenge.”

“My position is clear: I want to return to the people of Bangladesh because they are living under fear, repression, economic uncertainty and deprivation of political rights. My duty is to stand with them,” she said.  When asked about the conditions Hasina would want for her return, the former Bangladeshi PM emphasised that she would want the guarantees enshrined in the country’s constitution.

“I expect only what the Constitution and the law should guarantee to every citizen — personal security, access to lawyers, the right to defend oneself, an independent judiciary, transparent proceedings and a fair trial. These are not political conditions. These are the basic requirements of the rule of law,” she said.

“If the government says, ‘Come back and face justice,’ I say, ‘I am ready to return.’ But justice must mean justice, not a predetermined punishment.”

Looming death sentence

In the past, Hasina has expressed fears that her life could be at risk upon returning to Bangladesh. However, in the interview, she made it clear that her duty is more important than fear. She went on to recall how he family was “murdered” and how there have been 19 attempts on her life.

“I have faced imprisonment, military rule, political persecution and repeated threats. Therefore, I understand the risks. But in political life, personal security cannot be the only consideration. I would rather return to my country and face whatever I have to face than remain away from my people,” she said.

When asked about the death sentence by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, Hasina reiterated that she is “not concerned” about her life. “I have faced death many times. I am concerned about the destruction of justice. I am concerned that courts, laws and institutions are being used as instruments of political revenge,” she said.

“A death sentence delivered through a politically motivated process cannot be regarded as the final judgment on truth. I was not given a genuine opportunity to defend myself through a normal, fair and credible judicial process. A verdict delivered without the accused’s full participation, without proper defence and under political pressure is not justice.”

She emphasised that there should be an independent and credible process in handling things. “The law being used against me today was created during the 1971 Liberation War to deliver justice to victims of atrocities. If the authorities genuinely believe in justice, they should allow an open, independent and credible process,” Hasina told CNN-News18.

“Let me appear before the court. Let me present evidence. Let my lawyers defend me. Let witnesses be cross-examined. Let the evidence speak,” she averred.

The former Bangladesh premier reiterated her calls for an independent judicial process and a fair trial. “I should personally be allowed to appear before the court, have competent legal representation, examine and challenge evidence, cross-examine witnesses where legally appropriate, obtain relevant documents, receive equal treatment between the prosecution and defence, have transparent proceedings and exercise the right to appeal under the law. That is judicial process and due process,” she said.

“I also want to remind people that when violence began in July 2024, I formed a judicial inquiry commission on July 18 to investigate every death, every bullet fired and every incident of violence. Later, I expanded that commission as well. If I wanted to hide the truth, why would I establish a judicial inquiry commission while in power and strengthen it?”

“The principle is simple: If you believe in justice, allow the accused to stand before the court and defend themselves. Allow the evidence to be examined. Allow witnesses to be cross-examined. A process in which the accused is silenced, investigations are stopped, and people are given immunity is not justice. It is political revenge disguised as law,” she asserted.

Why comeback

When asked, despite the political and legal challenges, why she wants to return, the former Bangladeshi premier pointed to everything she and her party, Awami League, have achieved while in power. “The reason is simple — Bangladesh is my motherland. My father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, gave his life for the people of Bangladesh. My mother, my brothers and most members of my family were killed on Bangladeshi soil. I have spent my entire political life serving that country. My roots are there. My people are there. My duty is there,” she told CNN-News18.

“Millions of Awami League supporters and ordinary citizens are being treated as though they have no legitimate place in their own country. When my people are facing fear, exclusion and persecution, I cannot stay outside Bangladesh. My return is not about power. It is about responsibility. It is about standing with the people, facing the law and giving the people of Bangladesh the opportunity to judge me.”

“During my tenure, I made every possible effort for the betterment of Bangladesh and its people. The welfare of ordinary people was always the purpose of my politics. We built Bangladesh on a strong foundation through long-term planning, disciplined implementation and strong financial management,” she said, noting all her economic achievements.

Hasina emphasised that things changed for the worse since the August 5 demonstration that eventually led to her ouster. “Since August 5, 2024, peace, security, development and people’s rights have been seriously affected. That is why I want to return. My return is part of the struggle to restore people’s rights,” she said.