Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed began her political career as a pro-democracy icon, but fled mass protests against her rule in August 2024 after 15 years in power.
Since then, Hasina has been in self-imposed exile in India, where she flew after being deposed by the student-led uprising that spiraled into nationwide unrest.
On 17 November, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity. It was found Hasina had ordered a deadly crackdown on protesters between 15 July and 5 August 2024. She denied all charges against her.
Up to 1,400 people were killed during the weeks of protests leading up to her ousting, most by gunfire from security forces, according to UN human rights investigators. They reported that she and her government used systematic, deadly violence against peaceful protesters.
The protests marked a dramatic end to Hasina's long reign, during which her government was credited with significant economic progress but also faced numerous allegations of authoritarianism, including political arrests and extrajudicial killings.
In January 2024, Hasina won an unprecedented fourth term in an election described as a sham by critics. Protests began later that year, escalating as her administration cracked down violently. A leaked audio clip indicated she may have ordered security forces to 'use lethal weapons' against demonstrators.
Born to a politically active family, Hasina rose through the ranks of her father’s party, the Awami League, and became a national icon during the fight for democracy in the 1980s. However, as her tenure progressed, she faced increasing allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.
Under her leadership, Bangladesh transformed from one of the world's poorest nations to a rapidly growing economy, largely driven by the garment industry. Nevertheless, her government was accused of engaging in repressive measures against dissent.
As Bangladesh reflects on a year since her ousting, the nation grapples with the legacy of her leadership and the path forward amidst ongoing economic challenges and political unrest.
