Hundreds of expatriate Bangladeshis rallied outside the ICJ in The Hague protesting alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh.
The Hague
Hundreds of Bangladeshi expatriates from across Europe formed a human chain outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of committing serious human rights abuses. The demonstration, organised by the Netherlands chapter of the Awami League, took place on Friday and was led by its President Mostofa Zaman and General Secretary Murad Khan.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the crowd virtually as the Chief Guest, expressing solidarity with the protesters. According to the Awami League, demonstrators later submitted a formal complaint to the ICJ President, outlining allegations that included arbitrary arrests, torture of minorities and party members, systemic persecution, and politically motivated cases filed against Hasina and her supporters.
The complaint accused Yunus and his associates of illegally seizing power and working with anti-liberation and extremist forces to destabilise the country. It also cited incidents such as the burning of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence at 32 Dhanmondi, attacks on state institutions, and the banning of the Awami League and its student wing, the Chhatra League.
Several senior Awami League leaders from Europe — including Hasan Mahmud, M. Nazrul Islam, Mojibur Rahman, M.A. Kasem, Dilwar Hossain Koiech, and Shahidul Haq — joined the rally, calling for international intervention. Protesters held placards demanding justice for Hasina and all Bangladeshis who they said had been deprived of basic rights. The international community must not remain silent. Yunus must be held accountable, the Awami League quoted participants as saying.
The demonstration came a day after the Awami League urged its supporters to stay alert against what it described as conspiracies by the Yunus-led interim administration, particularly in connection with the party’s Dhaka Lockdown programme. The initiative centres around the upcoming verdict of the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal in a case against Hasina, reportedly due on November 17.
Condemning the interim government, the party alleged that the illegal, usurping, fascist regime had deprived it of its democratic rights and violated the rights of its leaders and activists.
