Reacting to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's sentencing, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the verdict provides important, though limited, justice for the thousands affected during the July-August 2024 uprising and for the families who continue to bear the pain of their loss.
"Today, the courts of Bangladesh have spoken with a clarity that resonates across the nation and beyond. The conviction and sentencing affirm a fundamental principle: no one, regardless of power, is above the law," he said in a statement issued by his press wing.
"We stand at a moment of rebuilding democratic foundations wrecked by years of oppression. The crimes at issue -- the ordering of lethal force against young people and children whose only weapons were their voices -- violated both our laws and the basic bond between government and citizens. These acts outraged Bangladeshis' core values: dignity, resilience, and commitment to justice," he said.
According to the statement, as many as 1,400 lives were lost. They were not statistics but students, parents, and citizens with rights. Months of testimony detailed how lethal force, even from helicopters, was used against unarmed protesters. "This verdict recognises their suffering and confirms that our justice system will hold perpetrators accountable."
Bangladesh is now rejoining global currents of accountability, Yunus said, adding, "The students and citizens who stood for change understood this, and many paid with their lives -- giving their today for our tomorrow."
The chief adviser said the path ahead requires not just legal accountability but rebuilding trust between institutions and citizens. Understanding why people risk everything for genuine representation -- and creating systems worthy of that trust -- is essential. "Today's verdict is a step on that journey."
"I have every confidence that Bangladesh will meet the challenges ahead with courage and humility. With commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and each person's potential, justice will not merely survive in Bangladesh. It will prevail and sustain," the statement concluded.