Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has said that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not be allowed to return voluntarily; rather, she will be brought back under the existing bilateral extradition treaty. He made the position clear in a statement to Kaler Kantho on Friday (November 13).
Firm Stance
"Sheikh Hasina will not return voluntarily; she will be brought back under the extradition treaty," Rizvi said. He alleged that widespread human rights violations, genocide, and corruption occurred during her tenure, and legal processes will be followed to ensure justice for these incidents. His remarks suggest that the interim government and administration will continue efforts to bring Hasina back using international legal frameworks.African Nations' Position
On the same day, a report by Bangladesh Pratidin stated that no African country is willing to grant Sheikh Hasina asylum. The report claimed that her position in international diplomatic circles is shrinking, with various countries rejecting her requests for residential asylum. While the veracity of this claim could not be independently confirmed, it has sparked fresh discussions in political circles.Political Context
Sheikh Hasina left the country on August 5 following a student-led mass uprising that forced her from power. She has since been believed to be residing in India. Political parties in Bangladesh remain divided over the question of her return. The Awami League has maintained that a political solution is possible if Hasina returns, while the BNP and other parties insist she must face trial.Analysts view Rizvi's latest remarks as aligned with the interim government's diplomatic efforts. However, it remains unclear how effective the legal and diplomatic process to bring Hasina back will be. The conditions of the international extradition treaty, political asylum policies, and bilateral relations will all play significant roles in this process.
