DHAKA, Bangladesh – A court in Bangladesh sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death on November 18, 2025, for her role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests in 1990. The verdict concludes a decades-long pursuit of justice for victims of the uprising and marks a seismic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The sentencing stems from the government’s response to weeks of demonstrations initiated by students protesting a quota system perceived as favoring those with political connections. Security forces’ brutal suppression of the protests resulted in the deaths of hundreds, escalating the unrest even after concessions were made to reform the quota system. This ruling, likely to be appealed, throws the future of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League into uncertainty and raises concerns about potential political instability.
The uprising began in the spring of 1990, with students voicing discontent over a government job allocation system that critics argued unfairly benefited individuals linked to Hasina’s party. Protests initially centered on demands for a fairer system but quickly broadened to encompass wider grievances against the government.
By the evening of an unspecified date in 1990, over 300 protestors remained in the Dhanmondi neighborhood of Dhaka, engaging in acts of civil disobedience, including burning tires in the streets. Despite attempts by police and soldiers to disperse the crowd, demonstrators refused to leave.
The ensuing crackdown by security forces proved deadly. Hundreds of people were killed, fueling further demonstrations and intensifying opposition to Hasina’s government. While the quota system was eventually scaled back, the violence left a lasting scar on the nation.
The court’s decision follows years of investigation and testimony from survivors and witnesses. The prosecution presented evidence alleging Hasina directly authorized the use of force against protestors. The defense argued the actions were necessary to maintain law and order.
Rajesh Roy of the Associated Press contributed to this report from New Delhi.