DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has requested a new passport and identity card that would let her return from self-imposed exile in India, Al Jazeera reported on Monday, Nov. 9, citing a letter reported by Reuters. Al Jazeera called it the clearest sign she plans to keep her promise to return in December.
Related: more from the region on our Asia-Pacific page.
What she has asked for
Hasina’s letter asked that the request be processed quickly on the basis of her Bangladeshi nationality, according to Reuters as cited by Al Jazeera. She told Reuters she intends to surrender before a court in Bangladesh. Her aides said the date will be announced once formalities are completed.
The government’s response
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the foreign and law ministries are examining whether there is a legal basis for the applications, the New Age daily reported, according to Al Jazeera. Last week, Junior Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh wants her returned under its extradition treaty with India. New Delhi has declined to hand her over.
Her legal position
Bangladesh’s war crimes court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia last November for ordering a deadly crackdown on the 2024 student protests. The United Nations has estimated as many as 1,400 people may have been killed in that violence. Hasina, who served as prime minister from 1996 to 2001 and from 2009 to 2024, has been living in India for two years.
What happens next
The government’s decision on the documents and the announcement of a surrender date are the next steps. Al Jazeera said her return could affect the government’s efforts to stabilize the country.
Sources
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