‘Otherwise, people will not forgive us’

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has pledged that key figures from the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime will not escape justice, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh will not forgive his administration if they fail to hold them accountable.

“We will bring her (Hasina) to justice. It must happen—otherwise, the people will not forgive us,” he told UAE state-owned English daily The National. He stated that the deposed prime minister and her senior officials would be sought out, brought back to Bangladesh, and made to face the full force of the law.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof Yunus was appointed chief adviser to the interim government in August last year after Sheikh Hasina fled to India when protesters stormed her official residence. She had ruled under a one-party system for 15 years.

“We have sent a notice to India requesting Sheikh Hasina’s repatriation. We have substantial evidence,” Prof Yunus told The National in an interview on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, citing a fact-finding report by the UN Human Rights Office.

“This report is a testament to everything they have done. The UN has documented their actions, and we have stacks of evidence detailing what she, her government, and her close associates have inflicted on the country.

“We have already initiated legal proceedings, and we are confident that the process will continue, leading to her being brought to justice. This must happen—otherwise, the people will not forgive us,” he reiterated.

The UN report states that around 1,400 people were killed during last year’s uprising. Among those killed by security forces, approximately 13 percent were believed to be children. Bangladesh police also reported that 44 officers lost their lives during the unrest.

Protests erupted among Bangladeshi expatriates worldwide, including in the UAE. At the height of the crisis, 53 protesters in the UAE were arrested and jailed but were later released following a personal appeal from Prof Yunus to President Sheikh Mohamed.

The chief adviser described this as the beginning of a renewed relationship with the UAE and the wider region.

“Our relationship with the UAE is fantastic,” he said. “When some Bangladeshis demonstrated on the streets in support of the movement back home, they were jailed for violating local laws.

“When I assumed office, I appealed to the President of the UAE, explaining that these individuals were simply expressing their support for change in Bangladesh. I hoped he would forgive them, and I was delighted when he immediately agreed to their release. It was a wonderful gesture, and all of Bangladesh celebrated it,” he added.

With political stability gradually returning, Prof Yunus and his advisers have shifted their focus toward domestic reforms aimed at rebuilding a prosperous and secure nation.

Six commissions have been established to reform key sectors, including the judiciary, electoral system, police, and administration. Additionally, an anti-corruption commission has been formed to recover government funds stolen or misused by the previous administration.

The reforms seek to establish a state system based on public ownership, welfare, and accountability, ensuring greater control over governance for Bangladesh’s 174 million citizens.

“Our immediate goal is to restore law and order as quickly as possible, revive the economy, and stabilize the banking system,” Prof Yunus said.

“We will present our reform recommendations to all political parties and civil society groups, allowing them to decide which measures to implement immediately, which to adopt in the future, and which to discard.

“That is the limit of our government’s role. Once this process is complete, we will oversee the first credible, transparent election in 16 years. The people will celebrate, and our job will be done.”

Speaking at the summit in Dubai, Prof Yunus reiterated his commitment to stepping aside once the electoral process is secured.

“We now have a consensus-building commission that will finalise recommendations for a national charter, paving the way for elections in December this year,” he said. “Once my task is complete, I will hand over power to the elected government.”