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Murder

Amnesty International Condemns Execution of Five Military Men in Bangladesh

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Amnesty International has condemned the execution of five military men found guilty of killing Bangladesh's founding leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in August 1975. The human rights watchdog has raised concerns about the timeline and procedures of the execution, and has called on the government to ensure transparency in its handling of the case. Meanwhile, six other men sentenced to death in their absence in the same case are living outside Bangladesh, and the government is seeking their extradition. The Amnesty International has also expressed concerns about the safety of the family members of the convicts, who live in fear of being attacked by political activists of the ruling Awami League party.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amnesty International has condemned the execution of five military men found guilty of killing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in August 1975.
  • The human rights watchdog has raised concerns about the timeline and procedures of the execution, and has called on the government to ensure transparency in its handling of the case.
  • Six other men sentenced to death in their absence in the same case are living outside Bangladesh, and the government is seeking their extradition.
  • The Amnesty International has also expressed concerns about the safety of the family members of the convicts, who live in fear of being attacked by political activists of the ruling Awami League party.
  • The organization has called on the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to establish an impartial and independent investigation into the attack on the house of Aziz Pasha, one of the convicts.
  • The Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases, regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.
  • The organization has also noted that the President dismissed the mercy petitions of three of the condemned prisoners, before the Supreme Court's final review of their sentences.
  • The mercy petitions of the remaining two convicts were considered after the Supreme Court's final decision was announced on January 27, but were dismissed within hours of being sent to the President.

Statistics:

  • 5: the number of military men executed for killing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
  • 6: the number of men sentenced to death in their absence in the same case, living outside Bangladesh
  • 12: the total number of persons sentenced to death for killing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
  • 3: the number of mercy petitions dismissed by the President before the Supreme Court's final review of their sentences
  • 2: the number of mercy petitions considered after the Supreme Court's final decision was announced, but dismissed within hours of being sent to the President
  • January 31: the date of the attack on the house of Aziz Pasha by Awami League activists
  • August 15, 1975: the date of the killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members

Sources:

  • Amnesty International (press statement, no date)
  • "Bangladesh: Executions of five men condemned" (Through Asia Pulse)

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