On Thursday, a Bangladeshi court banned the broadcast of a recent speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , calling it ‘hate speech.’ The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which has already issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, announced the ban, citing concerns over its impact on ongoing investigations and trials.
The tribunals has also banned also the other speeches made by Sheikh Hasina earlier too. “Sheikh Hasina is accused in several cases under investigation, including crimes against humanity,” said prosecutor Golam Monawar Hossain Tamim. He explained that the speech could intimidate witnesses or interfere with legal proceedings.
“If speeches like these are published and broadcast, we won’t be able to bring witnesses to the tribunal during trials,” he added. Hasina, who is presently in exile in India, made the speech in a virtual address to her supporters from New York on Wednesday. In the address, she accused the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of failing to protect Hindu minorities and alleged genocide.
In her first public address since seeking refuge in India following her resignation in August, former Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina lambasted the country’s interim leader, Yunus, accusing him of severe wrongdoing and neglecting minority communities. Speaking virtually at an event in New York, Hasina alleged that Yunus was responsible for “genocide” and had failed to safeguard the rights of minorities, including Hindus.
The tribunal also ordered the removal of any leaked recordings of Hasina’s speeches or phone conversations from media platforms. Officials expressed concern that her statements could influence public opinion and hinder fair trials. Hasina fled Bangladesh earlier this year after being ousted during mass protests that saw hundreds killed and thousands injured.
She faces various charges in connection with those events, and the government has sought Interpol’s assistance to detain her. This ban comes amid heightened political tensions in Bangladesh, with Hasina planning more public speeches to address her supporters in the coming weeks.
Comments