Dhaka:State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir today criticized former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's application for a new passport and National Identity Card (NID), calling it "utterly ridiculous." He reaffirmed Bangladesh's intention to seek her extradition from India under the existing treaty between the two countries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Kobir expressed that Bangladesh does not issue passports to individuals sentenced to death and labeled as terrorists. His comments came in response to reports that Hasina, currently in India, had sought new travel and identity documents via London-based law firm Matrix Chambers.
Kobir emphasized that the return of the deposed prime minister, convicted of crimes against humanity, should be processed through the existing bilateral extradition agreement with India. He asserted that a judicial process is already in place for such matters, and there is no necessity for a passport to repatriate criminals.
The state minister questioned the logic behind Hasina's request for a new passport, highlighting the need for adherence to established legal and diplomatic procedures. He criticized the British law firm representing Hasina, questioning its ethical stance and urging it to reconsider its involvement given Hasina's alleged human rights violations.
Kobir further warned of the potential reputational harm for legal representatives who engage with clients accused of serious crimes without considering the ethical implications. He acknowledged that individuals have the right to legal representation but stressed that this does not inherently validate their applications.
He reiterated Bangladesh's unchanged position on Hasina's extradition, emphasizing the ongoing diplomatic efforts with India and criticizing the lobbying efforts in the United Kingdom that allegedly misinformed British lawmakers. Kobir concluded by asserting that the government will persist in its efforts to secure Hasina's return through legal and diplomatic channels.