Sheikh Hasina Wazed[a] (born 28 September 1947) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as theprime minister of Bangladesh from1996 to 2001 and again from2009 until 2024. She is the daughter ofSheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's foundingpresident, and has long been the head of theAwami League. During her tenure, she became the country’s longest-serving prime minister and one of the longest-serving female heads of government globally.[3][4]
Born toTungipara Sheikh family in present-dayGopalganj, Hasina maintained very little presence in politics until theassassination of her family in 1975. After a few years in exile, she returned to Bangladesh in 1981 and became president of the Awami League. She led the party in opposition to military rule and played a key role in the1990 movement thatrestored parliamentary democracy. After serving asLeader of the Opposition from 1991 to 1996, she won theJune 1996 general election, beginning her first term as prime minister. After searving again as the Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2006, she again won the general election in2008.
Hasina was amongTime magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2018, and was listed as being one of the 100 most powerful women in the world byForbes in 2015, 2018 and 2022.[19][20][21][22][23]
When Hasina's father became a government minister in 1954, the family lived on 3 Minto Road. In the 1950s, her father also worked in the Alpha Insurance Company, aside from his political activities.[28] In the 1960s, the family moved into a home built by her father on Road 32 inDhanmondi. In many interviews and speeches, Hasina talked about growing up while her father was held as apolitical prisoner by the Pakistani government.[29] In one interview, she remarked that "For instance, after theUnited Front Ministry was elected in 1954, and we were living in No 3 Minto Road, one day, my mother told us that father had been arrested the night before. Then we used to visit him in jail and we always realised that he was put in jail so often because he loved the people."[30] Hasina and her siblings had limited time to spend with their father because of his preoccupation with politics.[30]
Education and marriage
Family murder, first exile and return
Except for her husband, children and sisterSheikh Rehana, Hasina's entire family was murdered during the15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état which saw theassassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[31][32] Hasina, Wazed and Rehana were visiting Europe at the time of the assassination. They took refuge in the house of the Bangladeshi ambassador toWest Germany; before taking up an offer of political asylum from Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi of India.[33][34][35] The surviving members of the family lived in exile in New Delhi, India for six years.[36][37] Hasina was barred from entering Bangladesh by the military government ofZiaur Rahman.[38] After she was elected President of theBangladesh Awami League on 16 February 1981, Hasina returned home on 17 May 1981 and received a welcome from thousands of Awami League supporters.[29][39]
Early political career
Movement against military rule (1981–1991)
While living in exile in India, Hasina was elected President of theAwami League in 1981.[40] The party has been described as a "Centre-Left" party.[41][42][43]
Under martial law, Hasina was in and out of detention throughout the 1980s. In 1984, she was put underhouse arrest in February and again in November. In March 1985, she was put under house arrest for another three months.[44][45]
Hasina and the AL participated in the1986 Bangladeshi general election held under PresidentHussain Muhammad Ershad. She served as the leader of theparliamentary opposition in 1986–1987.[26] She led an eight-party alliance as opposition against Ershad.[46] Hasina's decision to take part in the election had been criticised by her opponents, since the election was held undermartial law, and the other main opposition group boycotted the poll. However, her supporters maintained that she used the platform effectively to challenge Ershad's rule. Ershad dissolved the parliament in December 1987 when Hasina and her Awami League resigned in an attempt to call for a fresh general election to be held under a neutral government.[47] During November and December in 1987, a mass uprising happened inDhaka and several people were killed, includingNoor Hossain, an Awami League activist and supporter of Hasina.[48]
After several years ofautocratic rule, widespread protests and strikes had paralysed the economy. Government officers refused to follow orders and resigned. Members of theBangladesh Rifles laid down their weapons instead of firing on protestors and curfew was openly violated. Hasina worked with Khaleda Zia in organising opposition to Ershad.[50] A huge mass protest in December 1990 ousted Ershad from power when he resigned in favour of his vice president, JusticeShahabuddin Ahmed, the Chief Justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. Thecaretaker government, headed by Ahmed, administered a general election for the parliament. The BNP, led by Khaleda Zia, won a general majority, and Hasina's Awami League emerged as the largest opposition party.[51] Of the three constituencies Hasina contested, she lost in two and won in one. Accepting defeat, she offered her resignation as the party president but stayed on at the request of party leaders.[citation needed]
Politics in Bangladesh took a decisive turn in 1994, after aby-election inMagura-2,[52] held after the death of the member of parliament for that constituency, a member of Hasina's party. The Awami League had expected to win back the seat, but the BNP candidate won through rigging and manipulation, according to the neutral parties who witnessed the election.[53] Hasina led the Bangladesh Awami League in boycotting the parliament from 1994.[54]
Hasina with U.S. PresidentBill Clinton at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka, 2000Hasina with European Commission PresidentRomano Prodi in Brussels, 2001
The Awami League (AL), with other opposition parties, demanded that the next general elections be held under a neutral caretaker government, and that provision for caretaker governments to manage elections be incorporated in the constitution.[49] The ruling BNP refused to act on these demands.[55]
Opposition parties launched an unprecedented campaign, calling strikes for weeks on end. The Government accused them of destroying the economy while the opposition countered that the BNP could resolve the issue by acceding to their demands. In late 1995, themembers of parliament of the AL and other parties resigned en masse. Parliament completed its five-year term and theFebruary 1996 general election was held. The election was boycotted by all major parties except the ruling BNP, who won all the seats in the parliament as a result. Hasina described the election as a farce.[56][57]
The new parliament, composed almost entirely of BNP members, amended the constitution to create provisions for a caretaker government (CTG). TheJune 1996 general election was held under a neutral caretaker government headed by retiredChief JusticeMuhammad Habibur Rahman. The AL won 146 seats, a plurality, but fell short of asimple majority. Khaleda Zia, leader of the BNP who won 104 seats, denounced the results and allegedvote rigging. This was in contrast with the neutral observers who said that the election was free and fair.[58]
Hasina served her first term asPrime Minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001. She signed the 30-year water-sharing treaty withIndia governing theGanges. Her administration repealed theIndemnity Act, which granted immunity from prosecution to the killers of Sheikh Mujib. Her government opened-up thetelecommunications industry to the private sector, which until then was limited to government-owned companies. In December 1997, Hasina's administration signed theChittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, ending the insurgency in theChittagong Division for which Hasina won the UNESCO Peace Prize. Her government established theAshrayan-1 Project while bilateral relations with neighbouring states improved. Hasina's government completed theBangabandhu Bridge mega project in 1998. In 1999, the government started the New Industrial Policy (NIP) which aimed to strengthen the private sector and encourage growth.[59]
The Hasina government implemented some reforms to different sectors of the economy, which resulted in the country attaining an average of 5.5% GDP growth. The consumer price index remained at 5%, lower than other developing states who experienced 10% inflation. The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1997–2002) of the government placed an emphasis on poverty alleviation programmes which provided credit and training to unemployed youths and women. Food-grain production increased from 19 million tons to 26.5 million tons while the poverty rate reduced. A Housing Fund was established to provide fiscal assistance to those homeless as a result of river erosion. The government launched theEkti Bari Ekti Khamar scheme which accentuated the incomes of the poorer segments of society through household farming.[59]
The Hasina government adopted the New Industrial Policy in 1999 which aimed to bolster the private sector and attract foreign direct investment, thus expediating the globalisation process. The NIP aimed for 25% of the economy to be industry based with 20% of the country's workforce employed in industry. It encouraged the institution of small, cottage and labour-intensive industries with an onus on skill development for women for employment, development of indigenous technology and industries based on local raw materials. The NIP allowed for foreign investors to own 100% equity in Bangladeshi enterprises without prior approval from the government and all but four sectors of the economy were opened up to the private sector.[59]
Attempts were made to create a social security system to protect the most vulnerable in society. The Hasina administration introduced an allowance scheme which resulted in 400,000 elderly people receiving monthly allowances. This scheme was later extended to widows, distressed and deserted women. A national foundation devoted to rehabilitation and training of people, with disabilities was founded with an initial grant of ৳100 million funded by the government. The Ashrayan-1 Project provided shelter and employment to the homeless.[59]
Hasina was the first prime minister to engage in a "Prime Minister's Question-Answer Time" in theJatiya Sangsad. The Jatiya Sangsad repealed the Indemnity Act, allowing for the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to be prosecuted. The government introduced a four-tier system of local government including the Gram Parishad, Zila Parishad and Upazila Parishad by passing legislation.[59]
The Hasina government liberalised the telecommunications industry, initially granting four licenses to private companies to provide cellular mobile telephone services. This resulted in the previous state monopoly being disbanded meaning prices began to reduce and access became more widespread. The government established theBangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to regulate the newly liberalised telecommunications industry.[59]
The government established the National Policy for Women's Advancement which sought to ensure equality between men and women. The policy aimed to guarantee security and employment, create an educated and skilled workforce, eliminate discrimination and repression against women, establish human rights and end poverty and ensure participation in socio-economic development. The government introduced three reserved seats for women in all Union Parishad election in December 1997. Hasina's cabinet approved the National Plan of Action for Children in 1999 to ensure rights and improved upbringing.[59]
Hasina attended the World Micro Credit summit in Washington DC; the World Food Summit in Rome; the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference in India; the OIC summit in Pakistan; the 9th SAARC summit in the Maldives; the first D-8 summit in Turkey; the 5th World Conference for the Aged in Germany; the Commonwealth summit in the UK and the OIC summit in Iran. Hasina also visited the United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.[59]
In the2001 general election, despite winning 40% of the popular vote (slightly less than BNP's 41%), the AL won just 62 seats in parliament as a result of the first past-the-post electoral system, while the 'Four Party Alliance' led by BNP won 234 seats, giving them a two-thirds majority in parliament. Hasina herself ran in three constituencies,[60] and was defeated in a constituency inRangpur, which included her husband's hometown, but won in two other seats. Hasina and the AL rejected the results, claiming that the election was rigged with the assistance of the president and the caretaker government. The international community was largely satisfied with the elections, and the 'Four Party Alliance' went on to form a government.[61]
Leader of the Opposition (2001–2008)
The Awami League MPs were irregular in attending parliament during the following period.[62] In late 2003, the Awami League started its first major anti-government movement, culminating in the declaration by party general secretaryAbdul Jolil that the government would fall before 30 April 2004.
During her second term as leader of the opposition, political unrest and violence increased. MPAhsanullah Master died after he was shot in May 2004. This was followed by agrenade attack on 21 August on an Awami League gathering in Dhaka, resulting in the death of 24 party supporters, includingIvy Rahman, party women's secretary. In October 2018, a special court gave verdicts in two cases filed over the incident; the court ruled that it was a well-orchestrated plan, executed through abuse of state power, and all the accused, including BNP Senior vice-chairmanTarique Rahman (in absentia) and former top intelligence officials, were found guilty. The court prescribed various punishments.[63] However, on 1 December 2024,Tarique Rahman and few others was acquitted by the high court in this case.[64][65]SAMS Kibria, Hasina's close advisor and former finance minister was assassinated that year (2004) in a grenade attack inSylhet.[66][67]
In June 2005,A. B. M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury, the incumbent ALMayor, won an important election inChittagong, the second-largest city in Bangladesh. This election was seen as a showdown between the opposition and the ruling party.[68]
On 28 October 2006, Sheikh Hasina and Awami League convened a rally in Dhaka opposing BNP government moves to haveKhondokar Mahmud Hasan appointed as chief advisor of the caretaker government responsible for holding upcoming elections. Thousands of Awami League workers occupied streets of Dhaka with boathooks and oars for several days, the rally being known as theLogi Boitha Movement ('Boat-hook and Oar Movement'). The rally resulted in a number of casualties, vandalisms, lootings as well as soaring prices of daily commodities.
In May 2007, the police filed chargesheet against 19 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliates for vandalising, setting fire to and looting the office of the Islamic Social Welfare Council but all of them were acquitted in court in June 2011.[69]
Detention during military intervention (2006–2008)
The months preceding the planned22 January 2007 elections were filled with political unrest and controversy.[70] Following the end of Khaleda Zia's government in October 2006, there were protests and strikes, during which 40 people were killed in the following month, over uncertainty about who would head theCaretaker Government. The caretaker government had difficulty bringing all parties to the table. The AL and its allies protested and alleged that the caretaker government favoured the BNP.[71]
The interim period was marred with violence and strikes.[72][73] Presidential AdvisorMukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury negotiated with Hasina and Khaleda Zia and brought all the parties to the planned 22 January 2007 parliamentary elections. Later the nomination of Ershad was cancelled by the returning officer of the Election Commission as Ershad had been convicted on a corruption case.[74][75] As a result, theGrand Alliance withdrew its candidates en masse on the last day possible. They demanded that a voters' roll be published.[citation needed]
Hasina went to the United States embassy on 14 March 2007 along withKazi Zafarullah andTarique Ahmed Siddique.[80] She would fly the next day to the United States accompanied by Tareq Ahmed Siddique andAbdus Sobhan Golap.[80] She visited her son and daughter who live in the United States.[81] She then moved to the United Kingdom.[82]
In April 2007, Hasina was charged with graft and extortion by the military-backed caretaker government during the2006–2008 political crisis. She was accused of having forced businessman Tajul Islam Farooq to pay bribes in 1998 before his company could build a power plant. Farooq said that he paid Hasina for approving his project.[83]
On 18 April 2007, the Government barred Hasina from returning, stating that she had made provocative statements and that her return could cause disorder. This was described as a temporary measure. The Caretaker Government had also been trying to get Khaleda Zia to leave the country.[84] Hasina vowed to return home, and on 22 April 2007, a warrant was issued for her arrest for murder.[85][86] Describing the case against her as "totally false and fake", Hasina said that she wanted to defend herself against the charges in court. On 23 April 2007, the arrest warrant was suspended,[87] and on 25 April 2007, the ban on Hasina's entry was dropped.[88] After spending 51 days in the United States and the United Kingdom, on 7 May 2007 Hasina returned toDhaka, where she was greeted by a crowd of several thousand. She told reporters that the government should not have delayed her return.[89]
On 16 July 2007, Hasina was arrested by police at her home and taken before a local court in Dhaka.[90] She was accused of extortion and denied bail and was held in a building converted into jail on the premises of the National Parliament. The AL said the arrest was politically motivated.[91] On 17 July 2007, theAnti-Corruption Commission sent notices to both Hasina and Khaleda Zia, instructing them to provide details of their assets within one week.[92] Hasina's sonSajeeb Wazed was out of the country and said he would try to organise a worldwide protest. These arrests of the political leaders were widely seen as a move by the military-backed interim government to force Hasina and Zia out of the country and into political exile.[93][94] United Kingdom MPs condemned the arrest.[95]
On 11 April 2007, the police filed murder charges against Hasina, alleging that she masterminded the killing in October 2006 of four supporters of a rival political party. The four alleged victims were beaten to death during clashes between the AL and rival party activists.[96] Hasina was visiting the United States at the time.[97]
On 30 July 2007, theHigh Court suspended Hasina's extortion trial and ordered her release on bail.[98] On 2 September 2007, an additional case was filed against Hasina by the Anti-Corruption Commission regarding the awarding of a contract for the construction of a power plant in 1997, for which she allegedly took a bribe of 30 million takas and kept the contract from going to the lowest bidder. Six others were also accused of involvement.[99][100] A graft case was filed against Zia on the same day.[99]
On 13 January 2008, Hasina was indicted on extortion charges by a special court along with two of her relatives, her sisterSheikh Rehana and her cousinSheikh Selim.[101] On 6 February, the High Court stopped the trial, ruling that she could not be prosecuted under emergency laws for crimes alleged to have been committed prior to the imposition of the state of emergency.[102]
On 11 June 2008, Hasina was released on parole for medical reasons. The next day she flew to the United States to be treated for hearing impairment, eye problems and high blood pressure.[103][104]Syed Modasser Ali, her personal physician, threatened to sue the caretaker government over negligence regarding Hasina's treatment during her detention.[105]
The caretaker government held mayoral elections in which AL won 12 out of 13 elections. The government extended her two-month medical parole by one more month.[106]
On 6 November 2008, Hasina returned to Bangladesh to contest the2008 general election scheduled for 29 December.[107] She decided to participate in the parliamentary election under the banner of the "Grand Alliance" with theJatiya Party, led byHussain Muhammad Ershad, as its main partner. On 11 December 2008, Hasina formally announced her party's election manifesto during a news conference and vowed to build a "Digital Bangladesh" by 2021.[108]
The AL manifesto was entitledA Charter for Change and included the party's commitment toVision 2021. The manifesto included pledges to implement measures to reduce price hikes; combat corruption by strengthening the independentACC and submission of annual wealth statements by influential people; introduction of a long-term policy towards power and energy increasing power generation to 7,000 megawatts by 2013; bringing vibrancy to the agriculture sector and extending the safety net to the poor; creating good governance and curtailing terrorism and religious extremism; prosecution of 1971 war criminals; ensuring an independent and impartial judiciary; reforming the electoral system; strengthening theHuman Rights Commission and de-politicising the administration.[59]
Her Awami League and the Grand Alliance (a total of 14 parties) won the 2008 general election with a two-thirds majority, having won 230 out of 299 seats.[109] Khaleda Zia, leader of the BNP-led coalition (4-Party Alliance), rejected the results of the election by accusing the Chief Election Commissioner of "stage-managing the parliamentary election".[110] Hasina was sworn into office as prime minister for a second term on 6 January 2009. Independent observers declared that the elections were held in a festive and peaceful atmosphere.[111]
After being elected prime minister, Hasina reneged on her agreement with the Jatiya Party to make Ershad, its leader, the president.[112]
Hasina removed Awami League central committee members who supported reforms forced by the previous caretaker government.[113] She had to confront a major national crisis in the form of the2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt over a pay dispute, which resulted in 56 deaths, including Bangladesh Army officers.[114][115] Hasina was blamed by the army officers due to her refusal to intervene against the revolt.[116][117][118][119] However, In 2009, a recording emerged of Hasina's private meeting with army officers, who expressed their anger with how she had not reacted more decisively in the revolt's early stages, by ordering an armed raid of the BDR Rifles compound; they believed that her efforts to appease the revolt's leaders delayed needed action which led to more deaths.[116][117] In a 2011The Daily Star editorial, she was commended for "her sagacious handling of the situation which resulted in the prevention of a further bloodbath".[117] In 2011, the parliament removed the law that required non-party caretaker government hold elections.[120] In 2012, she maintained a hard-line stance and refused to allow entry toRohingya refugees fleeingMyanmar during the2012 Rakhine State riots.[121]
On 27 June 2013, a case against Hasina and 24 other Bangladeshi Ministers and security personnel was lodged at theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) for the alleged violation of human rights.[122] She has been "credited internationally" for the achievement of some of the United NationsMillennium Development Goals.[123] In2012 a coup attempt against her by mid-ranking army officers was stopped, with the Bangladesh Army being tipped off by an Indian intelligence agency.[124] TheBangladesh Army described the army officers involved as being Islamist extremists.[125]
In 2012, she had a falling out withMuhammad Yunus, Nobel laureate and founder ofGrameen Bank, following a Norwegian documentary that was critical of Yunus's transferring of money from Grameen Bank to an affiliate organisation. Yunus transferred the money back after the documentary aired but it increased scrutiny of the bank by the government and media in Bangladesh. Yunus lost control of his bank following a court verdict. He criticised Hasina and other Bangladeshi politicians. She responded by saying she did not understand why Yunus blamed her when it was a court verdict that removed him from Grameen Bank.[126]
Hasina secured a second-consecutive term in office with her ruling Awami League and its Grand Alliance allies, winning the2014 general election by a landslide. The election was boycotted by leading opposition parties due to unfair conditions and a lack of non-partisan administration to conduct elections.[128] As a result, the AL-led Grand Alliance won 267 seats out of which 153 were uncontested, surpassing its 2008 poll success—when it secured 263 parliamentary seats.[129] Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has run Bangladesh since 2009 and won 288 seats in this election.[130] One of the leading opposition parties accused it of using stuffed ballot boxes.[129] The election was boycotted by major opposition parties including the BNP.[131]
The election was controversial, with reports of violence and an alleged crackdown on the opposition in the run-up to the election. In the election 153 seats (of 300) went uncontested, of which the Awami League won 127 by default.[132][133] Hasina's Awami League won a safe parliamentary majority with a total of 234 seats.[134][135] As a result of the boycott and violence, voter turnout was lower than the previous few elections at only 51%. The day after the result, Hasina said that the boycott should "not mean there will be a question of legitimacy.[136][137] People participated in the poll and other parties participated." Despite the controversy Hasina went on to form a government with Ershad's Jatiya Party (who won 34 seats) as the official opposition.[138][139]
Hasina with G7 Leaders and guests, Shima Kanko Hotel in Japan, 2016
The BNP wanted the elections to be held under a neutral caretaker government and had hoped to use protests to force the government to do so.[140][141]
The period also sawincreasing attacks by Islamic extremists in the country, including theJuly 2016 Dhaka attack which has been described as "deadliest Islamist attack in Bangladeshi history" by BBC.[142] According to experts, the Hasina-led government's repression of political opposition as well as shrinking democratic and civic space has created "the space forextremist groups to flourish" and "has generated a violent backlash from Islamist groups."[143]
In March 2017, Bangladesh's first two submarines were commissioned.[144] In September 2017, Hasina's government granted refuge and aid to around a millionRohingya refugees and urgedMyanmar to end violence against the Rohingya community.[145] The majority of the Bangladeshi people supported the government's decision to provide refugee status to the Rohingya. Hasina received credit and praise for her actions.[146]
Hasina supported calls to remove theStatue of Justice in front of theSupreme Court. This was seen as the government bowing down to the pressure of those who use religion for political ends.[147]
Hasina won her third consecutive term, her fourth overall, when her Awami League won 288 of the 300 parliamentary seats. The leader of the main opposition alliance,Kamal Hossain, declared the vote "farcical" and rejected the results. Before the election,Human Rights Watch and other rights organisations had accused the government of creating an intimidating environment for the Opposition.[149]The New York Times editorial board described the election as farcical and questioned her reasons for vote-rigging, saying that she likely would have won freely.[150]
The BNP fared extremely poorly. Winning only eight seats, the party and itsJatiya Oikya Front alliance have been marginalised to the weakest opposition ever since Bangladesh's post-Ershad democratic restoration in 1991.[151]
In May 2021, Hasina provided the inaugural address for the opening of a new headquarters for theBangladesh Post Office, named the Dak Bhaban. In her address, Hasina urged for further development of the postal service in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Developmental measures outlined in the address include continuing the service'sdigital transformation, and the construction of cooling units in postal warehouses to pave the way for the sending of perishable food by mail.[152]
In January 2022, the government passed a law in theJatiya Sangsad establishing the Universal Pension Scheme. All Bangladeshi citizens, includingexpatriates, between 18 and 60 years old are eligible to receive a monthly stipend under the scheme.[153]
By the end of fiscal year 2021–22, Bangladesh'sexternal debt reached $95.86 billion, a 238% increase from 2011.[154] The period is also marked by massive irregularities in the banking sector of the country where the amount of default loans went from less than৳23000crore (US$1.9 billion) in 2009[155] to more than৳250000crore (US$21 billion) in 2019 according toIMF.[156]
In July 2022, theFinance Ministry requested fiscal assistance from theInternational Monetary Fund. The government cited depleting foreign-exchange reserves as a result of the sanctions in response to theRussian invasion of Ukraine. A staff level agreement was reached in November 2022 and in January 2023, the IMF agreed to supply a support programme totalling US$4.7 billion, consisting of US$3.3 billion under the Extended Credit Facility and US$1.4 billion under the new Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The IMF stated support package "will help preserve macroeconomic stability, protect the vulnerable and foster inclusive and green growth."[157]
In December 2022, anti-government protests broke out, linked to the rising costs, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister.[158]
Hasina addressing the nation amid anti-government protests in 17 July 2024
During the2023 G20 New Delhi summit, Hasina had a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi to discuss diversifying India-Bangladesh cooperation, including areas like connectivity and commercial linkages.[160] She was accompanied by her daughterSaima Wazed, who is a candidate for a WHO election.[161] The summit also provided an opportunity for Hasina to meet other global leaders and strengthen Bangladesh's bilateral ties.[162]
In January 2024 Hasina won her fourth consecutive term when her party, the Awami League, won 224 of the 300 parliamentary seats amidst a low voter turnout in an election boycotted by the main opposition.[163][164] She wasinaugurated on 11 January.[165][166]
In May 2024, Sheikh Hasina claimed that a "white country" was plotting to topple her government and claimed that she would be promised trouble-free elections in January if she allowed a "white country" to set up an airbase in Bangladesh. She also alleged that there was a conspiracy to create a Christian country on the lines of East Timor and Myanmar.[167]
Hasina with Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi in New Delhi in June 2024, just over a month beforeher ouster
In June 2024, Hasina visited India.[168] and one month later sheofficially visited China upon invitation of its premier,Li Qiang.[169] The close timing of those two visits was seen as an attempt to mediate between China and India.[170][171]
In the same month of Hasina's state visit to China,protests broke out in support ofreforming the quota system.[172] In response, Hasina stated in a press conference,
"If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get quota benefits, will those then go to the grandchildren of the Razakars? That's my question to the countrymen."[173]
Protesters interpreted this as her referring to them asRazakars and adopted the title in some of their slogans.[174][175] The protests later turned violent, involvingpolice,the armed forces, and members of theAwami League,Chhatra League, andJubo League, resulting in over 2,000 deaths and more than 20,000 injuries.[176][177][178] The government then shut down internet access for all non-essential purposes, conducted a massive crackdown on protestors with the help of the armed forces, and imposed a curfew that lasted five days.[179][180] TheSupreme Court agreed to reform the quota system,[181][182] but the protesters then demanded justice for those killed during the demonstrations and an official apology from Hasina and the resignation of certain ministers they believed were responsible for inciting violence.[183][184] On 3 August, theprotest organisers issued a single demand and announced anon-cooperation movement,[185] calling for the resignation of Hasina andher entire cabinet.[186]
Hasina resigned on 5 August 2024, as large crowds of demonstrators surrounded the prime minister's residence.[187] Her resignation was announced by GeneralWaker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of the Army Staff.[188] Later that day, Hasina fled to India in a chaotic departure, first by car, then by helicopter, and finally by plane.[187] She left with no resignation speech.[187]
Hasina reportedly flew in aBangladesh Air ForceLockheed C-130 transport toHindon Air Force base inGhaziabad, India, where she was received by theIndian national security advisorAjit Doval along with other senior military officials.[c] Indian foreign ministerS. Jaishankar told theParliament, "At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India."[187] Her son,Sajeeb Wazed, initially said that she would not return to politics and planned to "stay in Delhi for a little while" before her next destination, but subsequently said on 7 August that she and the Awami League would remain active in the Bangladeshi political scene[193][194] and that she would return to the country once elections were declared.[195] He also insisted that Sheikh Hasina was still the prime minister, saying that she was unable to formally submit her resignation after being forced to flee from the protesters.[196] Hasina had hoped to go to London, but the United Kingdom reportedly rebuffed initial overtures seekingpolitical asylum. She reportedly considered seeking temporary residence in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, or Qatar. Because her nephew lives in Finland, that country was speculated as a possible destination. Although Sajeeb Wazed lives in the U.S., she is considered unlikely to seek asylum there, as the U.S. government criticized her rule in Bangladesh.[197]
Hasina was living in a secret location in India under tight security as of August 2024.[198] Sajeeb Wazed said that theprotests which led to her resignation had support from a foreign intelligence agency, without naming any country.[199] In a statement published in the Indian media on 11 August, she accused the United States of influencing her resignation, and previously accused the United States of conspiring to oust her in theJatiya Sangsad.[200] However, Wazed called the statement "false and fabricated" and said Hasina "did not give any statement before or after leaving Dhaka".[201] TheWhite House also denied allegations of any US involvement.[202] On 13 August, Hasina released her first confirmed statements since her overthrow published by Wazed Joy calling for an investigation into the killings made during the protests, while insisting that police and the Awami League were also victims of "terrorist aggression".[203]
As of 10 September 2024, Hasina is facing 152 cases which include 135 for murder, 7 for crimes against humanity and genocide, 3 for abduction, 6 for attempted murder and 1 for the attack on aBNP procession.[204][205] These cases include other former government officials - Home MinisterAsaduzzaman Khan, Transport and Bridges Minister and concurrent Awami League secretary-generalObaidul Quader, and others.[206] TheBangladesh International Crimes Tribunal opened an investigation on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against her and nine senior government and Awami League officials over their role in the crackdown on the protests following a petition by the father of a killed student.[207] The BNP requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh for prosecution against the cases registered on her.[208]
On 21 August, theYunus interim government ordered the revocation of alldiplomatic passports including Hasina's.[209] On 29 August, the interim government issued an ordinance revoking a law providing special privileges to theSheikh–Wazed family, including Sheikh Hasina, under which it was enacted in 2009.[210][211] On 17 October, the International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant against her for alleged "crimes against humanity" committed during theJuly massacre.[212] On 5 December, the tribunal banned her speeches and related broadcasts from being published in Bangladesh.[213]
Presence of a large number of secret prison cells oraynaghars during Sheikh Hasina's 15 years was brought to the public eye by The Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance and was officially visited by Chief AdviserMuhammad Yunus with victims and press in February 2025.[214][215] At least one detention centre, next to Dhaka International Airport, with many tiny, dark cells had been bricked up to hide it after the regime fell. 500 to 700 cells were found throughout the country.[216] People were incarcerated sometimes for many years, and many are thought to have been killed.
A report titledWhite Paper on State of Bangladesh Economy published on 1 December 2024, estimated that up toUS$16 billion was annually diverted through money laundering during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister from 2009 to 2024, adding up to more than $240 billion over 15 years.[217][218][219]In December 2024, the Bangladeshi government opened an investigation against Hasina, her sonSajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece,Tulip Siddiq, who is an MP and was then a cabinet minister in the United Kingdom, over allegations of embezzlement of $5 billion in funds for the construction of theRooppur Nuclear Power Plant using offshore accounts in Malaysia.[220] On 24 December, the Bangladeshi government formally requested theIndian Ministry of External Affairs to extradite Hasina.[221]
TheInterim Government has made the money laundering case of Sheikh Hasina and her family as a top priority for resolution.[222] On 11 March 2025, a Dhaka court ordered the freezing of 124 bank accounts of Sheikh Hasina, her family, related individuals and institutions which had Tk635.14 crore in them.[223] It has also confiscated eight plots, which include 60-kathaRAJUK plot with a deed value of Tk1.80 crore, as well as 10 decimal land holdings valued at Tk8.85 crore.[222] On 18 March 2025, A court in Dhaka has issued an order to freeze another 31 bank accounts connected to Sheikh Hasina, her sonSajeeb Wazed Joy, daughterSaima Wazed Putul, sisterSheikh Rehana, and their affiliates. The total amount held in these accounts is Tk394.6 crore.[223] A joint probe team found assets of Sheikh Hasina, her family, related individuals and institutions inUnited States,United Kingdom,Malaysia,Singapore,Hong Kong andCayman Islands. Existence of a Russianslush fund was found in a bank ofMalaysia.[222][224]
On 1 June 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal began trying Sheikh Hasina in absentia for the repression of protests against her government.[225] On 2 July 2025, she was sentenced in absentia by the ICT to six months' imprisonment for contempt of court.[226]
A leaked audio recording, verified by theBBC, reveals that Hasina authorized lethal force against student-led protesters during 2024, reportedly resulting in up to 1,400 deaths. The unrest, sparked by opposition to civil service job quotas, escalated into a mass uprising that ultimately ousted Hasina after 15 years in power. In the verified call, Hasina is heard instructing security forces to shoot protesters on sight, a directive corroborated by subsequent police use of military-grade weapons across Dhaka. The recording, authenticated through forensic analysis and matched to Hasina's voice, is now being used as key evidence in her trial in absentia for crimes against humanity. While her Awami League party denies any unlawful intent and questions the tape's authenticity, legal experts emphasize the recording's evidentiary significance in linking Hasina directly to the violent crackdown.[227][228]
On 17 November 2025, Hasina was convicted of crimes against humanity by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, on charges including delivering inflammatory speech and ordering the use of lethal force against protesters during the July Revolution, and sentenced to death in absentia.[229][230][231] She stated the trial was a "farce trial" driven by a "political vendetta."[232] TheOHCHR opposed the death penalty.[233]
ThePadma Bridge graft scandal involved the ruling Awami League government that allegedly sought, in exchange for the awarding of the construction contract, a large amount of money from the Canadian construction companySNC-Lavalin. A Canadian court subsequently dismissed the case, after the wiretap evidence was excluded from the case.[234]
As a result of the allegations, theWorld Bank pulled out of a project to provide funding for thePadma Bridge, citing corruption concerns, cancelling৳10241.346crore (US$840 million) of credit for the 6-kilometre-long (3.7 mi) road-rail bridge over thePadma River.[235] One of the individuals implicated wasMinister of CommunicationsSyed Abul Hossain who subsequently resigned and was later acquitted of any wrongdoing.[236] On 11 July 2012, BNP General-SecretaryMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the Awami League government should make public a letter sent by the World Bank, wherein the Bank brought graft charges against Hasina and three other figures.[237] On 17 January 2016, Hasina stated that a managing director of a bank in the United States provoked the World Bank to cancel the loan.[238] The bridge was eventually constructed with the government's own funds and was inaugurated in June 2022 at a cost of৳30193.39 crore (US$2.5 billion),[239] much higher than the original projected cost of৳10161.75 crore (US$830 million).[240]
On 24 January 2017, in a speech in parliament, Prime Minister Hasina blamedMuhammad Yunus for the World Bank's pulling out of the project.[241] According to her, Yunus lobbied with the former United States Secretary of StateHillary Clinton to persuade the World Bank to terminate the loan.[242] On 10 February 2017, a justice of theSuperior Court of Ontario dismissed thebribery-conspiracy case for lack of any evidence.[234]
In 2018, Hasina's government passed the controversialDigital Security Act, 2018, under which any criticism deemed inappropriate by the government over the internet or any other media could be punished by prison terms of various degrees. This was heavily criticised both domestically and internationally for suppressing people's freedom of speech, as well as undermining press freedom in Bangladesh.[243]
In December 2022, the Hasina government ordered the closure of 191 websites accused of publishing "anti-state news" citing intelligence reports. Dhaka district authorities ordered the closure ofDainik Dinkal, which is owned byTarique Rahman of theBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).Dainik Dinkal appealed the order to theBangladesh Press Council who dismissed their appeal in February 2022, resulting in its closure.[244] The move has been criticised by government opponents who claim the move is an attempt to stifle opposition to the government.[244] The government claimedDainik Dinkal violated articles 10, 11, 16, 21(1)(kha) of the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act, 1973 as it had irregular publication and its publisher was a convicted felon.[245]
In June 2024, Sheikh Hasina paid a state visit to New Delhi, during which Bangladesh and India signed ten bilateral agreements, including one on allowing India a rail corridor to itsnortheastern states through Bangladeshi territory. This led to widespread criticism in Bangladesh on the issue of the country's sovereignty, accusing Hasina of "selling the country to India".[246][247]
Domestically, Hasina has been criticised as being too close to India, often at the cost of Bangladesh's sovereignty.[246][247] She is seen by her critics as a manifestation of India's interference in Bangladeshi politics, which they have described as the main source of her power.[248][249][250]
During her political career, Sheikh Hasina has survived a total of 19 assassination attempts.[257] She experienceshearing loss as a result of injuries sustained during the2004 grenade attack.[258] Given the violent history of brutal assassination of Sheikh Mujib family in 1975,[259] and later attempts to assassinate Sheikh Hasina and very high security risk towards the immediate Mujib family members, in 2015, she and her children were given lifelong protection by the government of Bangladesh through theSpecial Security Force.[260][261] Practice of extending such security protection is not rare for persons with high security risk to their lives.[262] The government also announced free utilities (fuel, water, telephone) and medical treatment for life for her and her family.[263] However, theinterim government decided to cancel this law.[264][265] Then on 9 September 2024, an ordinance was issued that repealed this law.[266][267]
On 1 October 2021, another animated film namedMujib Amar Pita about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released which also included Sheikh Hasina. The film was based on Hasina's bookSheikh Mujib Amar Pita.[300]
On 26 October 2023,Amader Choto Russel Shona, an animated film aboutSheikh Russel, was released where Sheikh Hasina was portrayed as elder sister of Russel. She also wrote the screenplay of the movie.[301]
^সারাদেশে সহিংসতায় নিহত ১১ [11 killed in violence across the country].RTV (in Bengali).Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved18 July 2024.
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