Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh in December, fears neither arrest nor death

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again firmly reiterated her intention to return to her country. She said that even if the present Tarique Rahman government arrests, kills or persecutes her, she will return to Bangladesh in December. She made the remarks while addressing a virtual press conference in Washington.

Hasina said returning to Bangladesh was her responsibility and that the dangers involved would not stop her. In her words, "I will come back to Bangladesh in December. I am not afraid. I know they can kill me, arrest me and persecute me... but it is my responsibility to go there." She added, "However dangerous it may be, I do not care. I will have to go back." She did not specify a date for her return. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, later told reporters that no date had been fixed and that it would be announced as the time came closer.

After her government fell in August 2024, Hasina had said that she could face jail or violence on returning, but that as a matter of political responsibility she must stand with her supporters. Hasina, an Awami League leader, has been living in India since she was removed from power. She thanked the Indian government and its people for giving her shelter and accepting her during a period of political instability. She said, "Thank you to the Government of India and the people of all parties, they took me in just as they did in 1975." She also recalled the time when she and her sister escaped the killing of several members of her family.

Hasina also narrated several old episodes from her political career, including occasions when she returned to Bangladesh despite threats to her life. These include her return in 1981 after spending several years abroad following the 1975 killing of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other members of the family. They also include her decision to return in 2007, during the political emergency, when criminal cases were pending against her.

Hasina accused Bangladesh's present political leadership, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, of suppressing political dissent by filing criminal cases against her and members of the Awami League. Questioning the legitimacy of these cases, she said that charges against political leaders should be decided through a fair judicial process. According to her, Bangladesh's political future should be decided by its citizens through an open and inclusive democratic process. Hasina said, "I appeal to Bangladeshis to choose their government through an open and inclusive political process."

The former Prime Minister called for independent courts, freedom of expression, freedom to form political organisations, protection of minorities and respect for due process of law. She said that if political parties were kept out of democratic participation, differences would grow and national reconciliation would suffer. She also said, "Similarly, those who oppose my government are also citizens and their rights must be respected. Bangladesh's future must stand on reconciliation, not on revenge."

On the 2024 protests, Hasina acknowledged that her own administration was facing difficult questions over its conduct and over the events linked to those protests. She said allegations against anyone, including herself, should be resolved through a transparent and fair legal process.

Hasina had earlier criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman over his India visit. She had questioned Bangladesh's absence from regional meetings held in India and described Rahman's decision as immature and against the country's national interest. Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS summit held in India. Dhaka said he had been invited not as Bangladesh's Prime Minister but as the chair of BIMSTEC. Hasina asked why Tarique Rahman was avoiding going to India when his father, Bangladesh's former President Ziaur Rahman, could go there.