Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a leading international human rights organisation, has strongly condemned the death sentence handed down by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Joint General Secretary of the Awami League, describing the verdict as “politically motivated”. The sentence was delivered on Thursday, 30 October 2025, following a trial conducted entirely in absentia, raising acute concerns about due process and fair trial guarantees under international law.

The Verdict and Those Sentenced

The ICT sentenced Hanif — a senior leader of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League — to death for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh. Three other Awami League leaders were also convicted in the same case: Sadar Uddin Khan, Azgar Ali, and Ataur Rahman Ata, each sentenced to life imprisonment. All proceedings, according to reports, were conducted without the physical presence of the accused.

Rights Body’s Core Concerns

JMBF emphasised that imposing capital punishment following proceedings conducted in absentia raises serious concerns about compliance with internationally recognised minimum standards of fair trial. Specifically, the organisation cited violations of the rights to meaningful participation in proceedings, effective legal representation, adequate defence, and judicial review — as protected under Articles 6 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Reiterating its unconditional opposition to the death penalty, JMBF stressed that politically sensitive prosecutions must remain free from political interference, selective justice, and violations of due process.

Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, said: “The imposition of a death sentence following a trial in absentia raises grave concerns about the right to life and fundamental guarantees of a fair trial. Justice must never become an instrument of political retaliation. Those responsible for serious crimes must be held accountable through independent, impartial, and fair judicial proceedings that comply with international standards. No one should be denied the fundamental right to a fair trial because of their political affiliation.”

Urgent Demands to Dhaka and the UN

JMBF urgently called on the government of Bangladesh to immediately halt the implementation of the death sentence against Hanif and to ensure an independent and impartial judicial review of the convictions and sentences imposed on all four defendants. The organisation also urged the United Nations — particularly the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers — to closely monitor these proceedings, examine allegations of fair trial violations, and engage with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure compliance with international human rights obligations.

Broader Context

This verdict comes amid a sweeping crackdown on Awami League leaders following the political upheaval triggered by the July 2024 mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government. Critics argue that the ICT, originally established to try war crimes from the 1971 Liberation War, has increasingly been deployed against political opponents in successive administrations. The use of trials in absentia for capital cases has drawn particular scrutiny from international legal observers, who warn that such proceedings fall short of the minimum standards enshrined in international human rights law. How Bangladesh’s authorities respond to mounting international pressure will shape the country’s human rights standing in the months ahead.