Dhaka: President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Maj. Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman has asserted that India is “almost legally bound” to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty. He made these remarks while addressing a session at the Bay of Bengal Conversation held in Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the session, Muniruzzaman emphasized the importance of India respecting Bangladesh’s legal processes and promptly returning Hasina. He highlighted the extradition treaty between the two nations, stating, “We have an extradition treaty under that extradition treaty India is almost legally bound to send her back.”
Muniruzzaman pointed out that India, as a neighboring ally, should honor international norms and rules by respecting Bangladesh’s legal systems. He noted that Hasina’s trial adhered to international legal standards, and thus, these standards should be upheld by neighboring countries. “If that respect is there,” he stated, “by all accounts Sheikh Hasina should be returned to Bangladesh.”
He further questioned the potential reaction from India if Bangladesh were to shelter convicted Indian nationals and refuse their extradition despite formal requests. He argued, “If that is the case, anybody convicted under Bangladesh’s law by international standards, India is legally bound to send a person back to Bangladesh. And by all those accounts, we demand that New Delhi sends her (Hasina) back to Bangladesh.”
The plenary session titled “Fractured Orders, Fluid Loyalties: Power Politics in the Post-Alignment Age’ was attended by notable figures from various international institutions, including Julia Roknifard of Taylor’s University, Malaysia; Jovan Ratkovic of Agora Strategy Institute; Leonardo Paz Neves of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Brazil, and Marian Vidaurri of Cornell University, USA. The discussion was moderated by David Patrician of RTL Nord, Germany.
As of now, Hasina’s initial extradition request remains pending, although New Delhi has acknowledged receipt of Dhaka’s formal communication. Following a recent judicial verdict, Bangladesh has urged India to “immediately hand over” Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both of whom were convicted of crimes against humanity.
On November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced both individuals to death for their roles in atrocities during last year’s July-August mass uprising. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, post-verdict, stated, “It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity.”