Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, has said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India during the student uprising, will be tried for crimes against humanity, whether she is present in Bangladesh or not.

Sheikh Hasina is accused of overseeing a system of enforced disappearances during her government. She also oversaw the massacre of protesters in July and August last year.

Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in the student uprising, is currently in exile in India. She is accused of overseeing a network of secret detention centers where political opponents were rounded up for interrogation, tortured and some killed. All this was done under the banner of Hasina’s “war on terror”.

Bangladesh has issued two arrest warrants against Hasina. Professor Yunus said Bangladesh had sent a formal letter regarding Hasina’s arrest but had not received any formal response from New Delhi. However, he stressed that Sheikh Hasina would face the court either physically present in Bangladesh or in absentia in India. Sheikh Hasina is accused of using her security forces and police to abduct, torture and kill hundreds of activists. Hasina has denied the allegations and said she is being politically persecuted.

Justice will be ensured in these cases by maintaining international standards. There will be no rush in the trial.